The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is thrilled that the province is starting to reopen, but wants to have more of a say in the steps ahead.
“We’re taking (BC) Minister (von Jobs, Ravi) Kahlon as the minister in charge of BC’s economic recovery, with his word that he will get involved with the business as we move on to steps two and three, to ensure companies have a clear path to recovery. Said Dan Rogers, Executive Director of the Kelowna Chamber.
“Our local companies, from tourist service providers to restaurants, are happy about the little good news.”
While the first step in the reopening plan offers a glimmer of hope, the Chamber stresses that government financial support is required for businesses until all social and business activities are “back to normal”.
The chamber believes that the government will continue to use general provincial data to make future decisions about when to move on to the next step.
“We were all waiting to see if the improving numbers would allow some relaxation of the restrictions due to the circuit breaker restrictions and the rapidly increasing vaccination numbers,” said Rogers.
“We’re also excited to hear that by Canada Day we may see the reopening of casinos that are so important to our nonprofit groups, supported by community gaming grants, and planning larger group meetings.”
After 15 months of virtual events, the Chamber is pleased to offer personal events in line with the four-stage plan.
It also looks forward to gradually welcoming employees back to the office in accordance with WorkSafeBC’s plans.
The four-step plan should proceed as follows:
25. May
- A maximum of 10 people for indoor and outdoor gatherings
- Leisure travel is only allowed within the region
- Indoor and outdoor dining for up to six people with security protocols
- Sports events continue without spectators
- Indoor, personal, and faith-based gatherings will return with reduced capacity
- Provincial mask mandate still in force
June 15 (earliest date)
- A maximum of 50 people for indoor and outdoor meetings (halls, cinemas)
- The abolition of travel restrictions for BC
- Indoor sports games and high-intensity fitness activities will return with safety protocols
- Provincial mask mandate still in force
July 1st (earliest date)
- State emergency should be lifted
- Leisure travel is resumed across Canada
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings to get back to normal
- Increased capacity for organized indoor gatherings (meetings, church services)
- The reopening of nightclubs and casinos
- Abolition of the nationwide mask mandate
September 7th (earliest date)
- Elimination of all social restrictions
- Increased capacity for large, organized gatherings
- No limit for indoor and outdoor spectators at sporting events
- Companies will work with new security plans
- No mask mandate
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