After a little over a week of new liquor restrictions issued by the government of British Columbia, Kelowna watering holes are beginning to feel the effects.
On Sept. 8, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants, bars and pubs after 10 p.m., as well as requiring them to close by 11 p.m. if the kitchen doesn91裸聊视频檛 remain open. In addition, Henry ordered nightclubs and stand-alone banquet halls to shut down completely.
With local bars and restaurants trying to get back on their feet after having to close their doors for several months due to COVID-19, the new restrictions have knocked many establishments back down, losing out on primetime hours after 10 p.m.
Kalli Dunham, manager of Craft Beer Market in downtown Kelowna said the party hasn91裸聊视频檛 stopped at 10 p.m., noting many of her customers are flocking to house parties or even partying in the streets after closing time.
91裸聊视频淎 lot of our sales are post 10 p.m91裸聊视频� we91裸聊视频檙e seeing a massive decrease in sales,91裸聊视频� said Dunham.
91裸聊视频淲e still think that there91裸聊视频檚 the same number of people that are trying to break the rules and still trying to table hop between the hour of 7 to 10 p.m., so we don91裸聊视频檛 really see (how the new restrictions) are going to make a difference. We91裸聊视频檙e finding that people are just parting in the streets so we91裸聊视频檙e then trying to police outside.91裸聊视频�
Kelly O91裸聊视频橞ryan91裸聊视频檚 Neighbourhood Restaurant, located directly across the street from Craft, has seen a similar trend. Cassidy Barron, manager of Kelly O91裸聊视频橞ryans said she hasn91裸聊视频檛 seen a shift in the mentality stating people are going to party regardless of the restrictions, and the new restrictions are taking away from the economy.
91裸聊视频滻t91裸聊视频檚 been business as usual, but from talking with customers it feels like people are doing house parties now, which kinda sucks,91裸聊视频� said Barron.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檝e taken the liquor away from restaurants and they91裸聊视频檙e just planning on drinking at house parties, which can get bigger and that sucks to see. In my opinion, I think it was silly to take (late-night liquor sales) away from the restaurants.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE: B.C. to shut down nightclubs, banquet halls; limit late-night alcohol sales at bars
READ MORE: Nightclub closures, liquor sale limits a 91裸聊视频榩unch in the gut,91裸聊视频� B.C. industry group says
Henry said the closures were necessary after it became clear that banquet halls and nightclubs became 91裸聊视频渉igh-risk places91裸聊视频� that were unable to bring in enough safety measures to keep guests safe.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 going to be a challenging time for those businesses,91裸聊视频� Henry acknowledged.
91裸聊视频淭hese restrictions will take away that late-night temptation people have, when we know there91裸聊视频檚 been mixing (of social groups) going on and transmission is happening in these venues.91裸聊视频�
As to what qualifies as a nightclub, she said it would be those establishments whose 91裸聊视频渟ole purpose is entertainment and liquor service.91裸聊视频�
Henry said that she is not currently considering shutting down dine-in service at bars and restaurants altogether at the moment.
91裸聊视频淚 use orders as a last resort91裸聊视频e do it for things where we know it will make a difference,91裸聊视频� Henry said.
