Updated COVID-19 Restrictions for Central Okanagan

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

As you know, yesterday 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.

New restrictions were also announced for the Central Okanagan. Please find an updated list of these restrictions below:

  • Effective July 28, 2021 at midnight, Interior Health placed a regional mandatory mask order for all public indoor spaces in the central Okanagan communities of Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Kelowna, and Lake Country. This order applies to individuals older than 12 years age.

  • People from outside the central Okanagan are discouraged from non-essential travel to the area for the duration of the outbreak unless they are fully vaccinated (7 days after their second dose).

  • There will be continued enforcement of the Province’s Step 3 Restart Plan. When businesses in the central Okanagan experience three or more COVID-19 cases, Interior Health medical health officers will have the potion to follow up and issue a closure order.

  • Organize events outdoors rather than indoors, if possible.

  • Maintain physical distancing, hand cleaning, and stay home if you are sick.

  • Note: while it is not required that you keep tables six feet apart, we recommend that establishments in the central Okanagan do so for the duration of this outbreak.

  • Maximum capacity for indoor organized gatherings is 50 people or up to 50 percent of a venue’s total capacity.

  • Events scheduled during this outbreak in the central Okanagan should have a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

The measures will remain in place for at least 14 days and until the region experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.

Read the media release for Interior Health for more details. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.

Increased access to COVID-19 vaccines

Additional pop-ups and mobile clinics in downtown Kelowna and throughout the central Okanagan will make it easier to get vaccinated. The interval between first and second doses will be decreased to 28 days for people who reside in the central Okanagan.

How to get vaccinated

People can get their first or second dose by dropping in at any of Interior Health’s immunization clinics or by appointment.

People can also book an appointment if they would like. Register online by visiting the provincial website, call 1-833-838-2323, or visit a Service BC office listed here, and then book an appointment.

Central Okanagan Drop-In Mobile Immunization Clinics

*NEW* Downtown Kelowna mobile immunization clinics
Starting July 30, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Locations to be confirmed

*NEW* Mobile immunization outreach pop-up clinics
Starting July 29
Locations to be confirmed in Lake Country, Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna and Peachland

Ongoing Immunization clinics: Drop-in access available, as well as booked appointments

Trinity Hall, Kelowna
Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Thursday, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Rutland Secondary School gymnasium
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Westbank Lion’s Community Centre
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

For a list of all Interior Health COVID-19 immunization clinics: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-immunization-clinics/

For a list of all Interior Health mobile COVID-19 immunization clinics – please note this page is updated regularly: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/mobile-immunization-clinics-making-the-journey2immunity/

Ann Brydle