Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Central Okanagan over the past few weeks, more restrictions were put in place Aug. 6 to limit the spread in the region, which included shutting down nightclubs and bars, as well as limiting restaurant patrons to groups of six and suspending liquor service at 10 p.m.
For some owners of Kelowna pubs and restaurants, the announcement of the recent health measures came as no surprise.
91裸聊视频淛ust seeing the numbers last week, I knew something was coming for sure, some more restrictions,91裸聊视频� said Katja Oldendorf, the manager of Mickie91裸聊视频檚 Pub and the Short Stop Liquor Store.
91裸聊视频淎nd there might be more, who knows.91裸聊视频�
Things seemed to be trending in the right direction when the province entered phase three of its restart plan on July 1. But as the Central Okanagan struggles to maintain a linear course to normalcy, Oldendorf said that it91裸聊视频檚 been nothing short of exhausting.
91裸聊视频淢entally, more than anything. Just not knowing,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淪eeing the numbers rise each day has been more of a scare to a lot of our staff.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE: Bars, nightclubs ordered to close as Central Okanagan COVID-19 cases surge
She added that she has no other choice but to roll with whatever provincial health officials decide to do and that she supports Dr. Bonnie Henry91裸聊视频檚 efforts in keeping the public safe.
91裸聊视频淚 guess things could be worse 91裸聊视频� be completely shut down, but we91裸聊视频檙e still open. The staffing shortage has been a huge issue for us on top of COVID. Right now, we91裸聊视频檙e holding our own,91裸聊视频� said Oldendorf.
Scott MacDonald, the owner of Dakoda91裸聊视频檚 Pub, said that provincial health officials are doing what they should do.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e doing what they want us to do. I mean, all you really have to do is wear a mask when you sit down now,91裸聊视频� said MacDonald.
He highlighted that the pub saw its fourth-best month in 10 years in July, adding that he isn91裸聊视频檛 worried about how the restrictions will impact business.
91裸聊视频淭he government has helped us out so much with so much government funding that there91裸聊视频檚 no way that I can complain,91裸聊视频� said MacDonald.
Launching phase four of B.C.91裸聊视频檚 restart plan in early July, which included making masks optional, Train Station Pub and Midtown Station co-owner Rhonda Lindsay said that provincial health officials should have expected a surge in COVID-19 cases.
91裸聊视频淎t this point, we don91裸聊视频檛 have a choice but to participate in these restrictions because if they don91裸聊视频檛 get it under control, it91裸聊视频檚 just going to get worse,91裸聊视频� said Lindsay. 91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 say that it surprised us. It is super unfortunate.91裸聊视频�
Lindsay added that she anticipates measures to last through the summer.
91裸聊视频淭his has put such a strain on so many of our team and the entire management team. Everyone is trying their best. It91裸聊视频檚 a real hit because we91裸聊视频檙e trying to keep our staff morale high,91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淭he hospitality industry deserves to create confidence in this industry, and we need public health to help us to give confidence.91裸聊视频�
aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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