COVID-19 capacity increases at B.C. venues, but some small businesses still at disadvantage
Fresh off a victory that spoiled the Seattle Kraken’s first ever home game at a sold out arena in Seattle, the Vancouver Canucks will welcome fans back into their own building of Rogers Arena on Tuesday.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has lifted COVID-19 capacity restrictions just in time for the game, and with only a handful of tickets still available, it could also be a sellout.
“This is obviously pre-ordained,” said Mo Tarmohamed, owner of the Rickshaw Theatre on East Hastings Street.
He doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that capacity limits have been lifted just in time for hockey season.
“It kind of shows that live music and the arts sort of play second fiddle to big corporations and the mega-bucks of hockey," he said.
But he’s still grateful his own small business, restricted to 50 per cent until now, will be able to increase capacity as well, but it won’t be to 100 per cent like the Canucks.
“It’s full capacity based on how many seats you can have. So, in our case, we are a 500-person capacity room but I can’t have 500 people in here,” Tarmohamed said. “Because when you put seats on the floor, it takes up real estate, so I can only effectively do 400.”
Pre-pandemic, the Rickshaw would host about 175 events per year – everything from punk concerts to wrestling shows.
Tarmohamed estimates the 100 people he will have to turn away will cost him about $2,000 to $4,000 per event.
“One thing that is undeniable is that the hospitality industry has borne the brunt of public health protocols throughout this pandemic. And that’s been true for the past two years,” said Jeff Guignard, of the BC Alliance of Beverage Licensees, who says he understands the financial stresses many small hospitality businesses are under.
But he is urging patience, saying he advocates on their behalf during weekly meetings with provincial health officials – and he expects more re-opening steps to be taken soon.
It’s not clear exactly when, but that could include loosening the requirement for every patron to have an assigned seat, and even allowing dancing again.
Of course, that is all dependant on active case numbers, hospitalizations and vaccination rates in each region of the province.
“I think the important thing to remember is this is not the last step. This is just a step on the way where we get to,” Guignard said. “What some businesses want to get back to -- concerts, theatres and nightclubs -- we will get there but it’s just going to take a little bit longer before we can.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.