Gyms relieved, nightclubs disappointed as B.C. updates COVID-19 restrictions
In December, as the number of Omicron cases started to surge, B.C.’s provincial health officer ordered fitness facilities and liquor-only establishments to close their doors.
On Tuesday, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced gyms could re-open on Jan. 20 – but pubs and nightclubs must remain closed until at least Feb. 16.
“So industry is frustrated,” said Jeff Guignard with the B.C. Alliance of Beverage Licensees.
“The challenge is for businesses like nightclubs, which do have a path forward providing they can offer full meal service, which they can do with a food truck or a catering company, but that’s not going to work for all establishments."
Guignard is now asking the province to extend the COVID-19 relief grants to businesses that remain closed for another month, and increase it to $10,000 per business.
“We have no confidence at all the orders will not be added or extended after Feb. 15. I think that information doesn’t exist yet, so we will have to wait and see where we are, which means another month of holding our breath,” said Guignard.
At Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness, staff are being called back and equipment is being cleaned in anticipation of a Thursday re-opening.
Director of operations Carl Ulmer said his heart goes out to businesses that have to remain closed, but he’s relieved gyms can welcome back members.
“In terms of mental health, we needed gyms to get back open,“ said Ulmer. “We provide a service above and beyond paying taxes and employing people, we provide health and wellness for British Columbians.”
He says Club 16 has already spaced out its equipment to abide by Dr. Bonnie Henry’s order to maintain seven square metres of space for every member.
“We don’t have a booking system, we are confident our capacity will allow our members to come in and out with ease,” Ulmer said, adding if there is wait time it should be short, and everyone will be held to an hour and half maximum in the gym.
While members are not required to wear masks while they’re exercising, Ulmer and Henry are both encouraging them to keep the mask on for their work out, if they can.
“Our staff are wearing masks at all times, we are staying distanced, we are cleaning equipment before and after use, we are cleaning high touch points,” said Ulmer.
He hopes the extra precautions will be enough to bring members back after a four week absence, adding “We are super excited to open on Thursday at 10 a.m.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
A candidate for Germany's key party was beaten up while campaigning for European elections
A candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left party in next month's election for the European Parliament was beaten up and seriously injured while campaigning in an eastern city, the party said Saturday.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.