Bombshell new order on nightclubs, bars & restaurants from Dr. Henry

Sep 8, 2020 | 3:38 PM

B.C.’s top doctor has brought in tough new measures to try and combat a rising number of Covid-19 cases in the province.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said Tuesday, effectively immediately, all nightclubs and stand alone banquet halls are ordered closed until further notice.

“In addition, liquor sales in all bars, pubs and restaurants must cease at 10 p.m. and those venues must close at 11 p.m. unless they’re providing full meal service, in which case the service can continue but not serve alcohol,” said Henry.

The owner of Vernon’s Status nightclub, Saverio Loria, said he had a strong feeling this was going to happen.

“It was the main reason why I chose not to open for the safety of everyone. It is still a tough one to swallow,” said Loria.

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Dr. Henry also announced new provisions to avoid people having to shout or be in close contact, by ordering music or background sounds in bars, pubs and restaurants to be no louder than the volume of normal conversation.

Henry made the changes after 429 new Covid cases since Friday, which included 9 new cases in Interior Health.

There are 15 cases active cases in the Interior with no one in hospital.

“These new restrictions are meant to take away that late night temptation that people have, where we know there has been mixing going on, and where transmissions have been happening in these venues across the province.”

Henry said issuing orders is not something they do lightly.

“It is our last resort,” she said.

Dr. Henry said now is the time for all of us to go back to smaller, safer social interactions.

“Especially if we are increasing our social interactions in other ways, like going back to work or school.”

There were four reporting periods over the long weekend, with 123 new cases from Friday to Saturday; 116 from Saturday to Sunday; 107 from Sunday to Monday; and 83 from Monday to Tuesday.

B.C.’s grand total is now 6,591 cases with 4,978 of those recovered, and 1,386 active cases with 32 of those in hospital and 12 in intensive care.

Two more people have died of Covid-related issues, both people in long term care in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal regions, bringing the provincial death toll to 213.

A total of 3,063 people are under active health monitoring after exposure to people with known Covid cases.

Case counts by region: