'A bit difficult to explain': Business owners question COVID-19 rules limiting dancing as other restrictions lift
While capacity limits on many indoor venues in parts of B.C. will ease next week, dancing is still prohibited, which some owners say will continue to hurt their business.
B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says dancing at nightclubs and at indoor weddings still isn't allowed, even though other restrictions at venues are lifting on Tuesday.
"I know it's going to be hardest, particularly, for nightclubs and some of the bars where this is an important part of the atmosphere," Henry said during her weekly COVID-19 update.
Members of the industry, however, are hoping the province will reconsider that rule.
"It's a bit difficult to explain to folks why you can have a concert with 10,000 people where everyone's congregating together or a hockey game and yet I can't with 100 people in a nightclub," said Jeff Guignard of the BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees.
"But it's a gradual, phased reopening and I've often said there's no point in looking for logic in some of these rules, we're all just doing the best we can … our commitment will be to keep dance floors closed and do our best to manage our patron behaviours."
Business owners have also raised questions about enforcement, like what exactly is considered dancing and whether people can dance at their individual tables.
Dave Kershaw, owner of the Cabana Lounge, said the rules are costing his business tens of thousands of dollars.
"People have, in the last few weeks, really started to cancel their reservations because they felt they went and got vaccinated to have a proper experience at a nightclub," Kershaw said.
Henry said she hopes people, especially those who have their vaccine card, will continue to support local businesses.
"We are absolutely continuing to monitor," Henry said on Tuesday. "I hope to be able to take off more restrictions as we get through the next few months, but it's going to be a challenge for all of us."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Travis Prasad
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.