URGENT: revised Public Health Order effective immediately

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

At 3:00 pm this afternoon, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a number of strict new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Effective immediately, all Liquor Primary nightclubs are ordered closed indefinitely. 

Additionally, liquor service at all liquor-serving establishments must cease at 10:00 pm.

Liquor-serving establishments must close at 11:00 pm, unless they are providing meal service, in which case meal service – but not liquor service – may continue until normal closing hours.

Music or other background sounds must be no louder than the volume of normal conversation. The goal is to ensure that patrons can converse without shouting (which can increase droplet spread).

Please note: a copy of the revised public order is not yet available. We will circulate the order once it is posted.

I spoke with the Premier’s Office shortly before Dr. Henry’s announcement today. They understand how frustrating and disappointing this revised order is for all of you who have been meeting or exceeding the current stringent public health protocols.

The Premier’s Office also specifically thanked our industry for the considerable efforts to flatten the curve. They insisted that today’s order was a difficult decision made in the context of increasing cases and the increased resources spent on contact tracing of guests at licensed establishments.

Although we all understand the overall rationale for this decision, we are deeply concerned that these restrictions might have the unintended consequence of forcing more British Columbians to gather privately – which could lead to increased cases.

I know this announcement will severely hurt many of your businesses and the people you employ. ABLE BC will be working directly with government in the coming days to advocate for appropriate government support for BC’s hospitality industry.

No matter what happens next, please know we will always be in your corner, fighting on your behalf. 

If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us: info@ablebc.ca.
-Jeff