UPDATE: New COVID-19 Restrictions for Central Okanagan

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

For the past week, the Interior Health region has seen a dramatic rise in case counts, which prompted government to hold a press conference today and announce new COVID-19 restrictions for the region.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Interior Health Interim Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock declared an outbreak for the Central Okanagan. This includes Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Peachland, and Lake Country.

Dr. Henry announced that the province no longer needs to take broad sector societal measures, but some regional measures are needed. 

New Central Okanagan restrictions include: 

  • Mandatory masks in indoor public spaces. Patrons must wear masks unless seated.

  • Masks are encouraged to be worn outdoors if you are unable to physically distance.

  • Physical distancing required in indoor and outdoor places (i.e., between tables, line-ups, etc.)

  • Events should be organized outdoors and not indoors

  • Gatherings have a limit of 50 people or 50 percent of the total capacity

  • Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs must have COVID-19 safety plans in place. Liquor service can remain at normal hours but people should not be socializing between tables.

  • Nightclubs can remain open, with up to 10 people at a table and seated

  • Reducing the second-dose interval to four weeks, to get people vaccinated quicker

  • Discouraging non-essential travel to the region by people who are not yet fully vaccinated

  • Expanded asymptomatic testing availability

  • Remind your staff to stay home if they are sick and get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms

The new restrictions take effect at midnight tonight (Wednesday, July 28). Interior Health will be increasing enforcement to businesses who have had three or more COVID-19 cases.

Interior Health will also be working with municipalities and WorkSafeBC ensure businesses are in compliance with their communicable disease prevention plans. Learn more about creating and updating your communicable disease plan.

Additional Recommendations For All

While these temporary restrictions are in the Central Okanagan, it is an important reminder for industry to check-in with your staff and ensure:

  • Your communicable disease plan is being followed

  • You continue to have cleaning and sanitization protocols in place

  • Staff is not coming into work if feeling ill

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Ann Brydle