B.C. gyms opening regardless of public health orders in 'Operation Green Light'
As many British Columbians waited to find out whether the current public health orders would change, some businesses decided to reopen regardless.
A social media movement called Operation Green Light called on gyms, fitness centres and dance studios to open Tuesday morning, even if B.C.'s COVID-19 restrictions didn't change.
And as it turned out, they didn't change – at least not immediately. Gyms will be allowed to open, but not until Thursday.
New guidelines will be in place when that happens.
There was some confusion initially about whether the restriction would be dropped, as the deadline initially was 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. On Monday afternoon, the provincial government quietly updated the public health order to remove the expiry date. After the update was reported by local media, Health Minister Adrian Dix claimed this move did not necessarily mean the restriction had been extended indefinitely. He said the date was removed to allow time for the provincial health officer to address updates to restrictions.
The plans were made clear Tuesday afternoon.
But hours and even days earlier, some decided they'd open regardless of the decision on whether gyms could reopen.
Those taking part in Operation Green Light, described by Iron Energy Gym in West Kelowna as a "bold move" that will "serve as a message of hope and make fitness essential in B.C.," opened their doors Tuesday morning.
Iron Energy has been open other days as well, despite visits from the RCMP and Interior Health Authority inspectors armed with $2,300 violation tickets.
It's unclear how many gyms and other businesses will take part in the "operation," but many shared posts on social media suggesting they'd planned to open their doors Tuesday.
Gym owners and members who've expressed their frustration in the past over the restrictions announced Dec. 22 have questioned why liquor and cannabis stores are considered more essential, and why movie theatres and sports arenas are considered safer, than their facilities, and thus can stay open through the Omicron wave.
They've cited both the mental and physical benefits of exercise, which is harder to get outdoors in the winter.
Health officials including B.C.'s top doctor, Bonnie Henry, have mentioned the younger demographics at gyms – people who are working or going to school, and may have families, and therefore a larger network to spread COVID-19 among – and said those monitoring the spread have "repeatedly seen the gyms become amplifiers."
She and Dix have been asked to make public the data backing the gym closures, but said last week that they couldn't tell the public about every case linked to a gym, though they have seen a pattern and consider the environments "higher risk."
In addition to facing fines and further enforcement efforts, businesses that opt to defy public heath orders are not eligible for grants from the province meant to offset some of the financial impacts of the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
'Do I ghost her again?': Quebec minister's office ignores questions on housing as a human right
The office of Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau prefers to openly ignore journalists' requests.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.