Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in the Central Okanagan over the past few weeks, more restrictions were put in place Aug. 6 to limit the spread in the region, which included shutting down nightclubs and bars, as well as limiting restaurant patrons to groups of six and suspending liquor service at 10 p.m.

For some owners of Kelowna pubs and restaurants, the announcement of the recent health measures came as no surprise.

乌鸦传媒淛ust seeing the numbers last week, I knew something was coming for sure, some more restrictions,乌鸦传媒� said Katja Oldendorf, the manager of Mickie乌鸦传媒檚 Pub and the Short Stop Liquor Store.

乌鸦传媒淎nd there might be more, who knows.乌鸦传媒�

Things seemed to be trending in the right direction when the province entered phase three of its restart plan on July 1. But as the Central Okanagan struggles to maintain a linear course to normalcy, Oldendorf said that it乌鸦传媒檚 been nothing short of exhausting.

乌鸦传媒淢entally, more than anything. Just not knowing,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淪eeing the numbers rise each day has been more of a scare to a lot of our staff.乌鸦传媒�

READ MORE: Bars, nightclubs ordered to close as Central Okanagan COVID-19 cases surge

She added that she has no other choice but to roll with whatever provincial health officials decide to do and that she supports Dr. Bonnie Henry乌鸦传媒檚 efforts in keeping the public safe.

乌鸦传媒淚 guess things could be worse 乌鸦传媒� be completely shut down, but we乌鸦传媒檙e still open. The staffing shortage has been a huge issue for us on top of COVID. Right now, we乌鸦传媒檙e holding our own,乌鸦传媒� said Oldendorf.

Scott MacDonald, the owner of Dakoda乌鸦传媒檚 Pub, said that provincial health officials are doing what they should do.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e doing what they want us to do. I mean, all you really have to do is wear a mask when you sit down now,乌鸦传媒� said MacDonald.

He highlighted that the pub saw its fourth-best month in 10 years in July, adding that he isn乌鸦传媒檛 worried about how the restrictions will impact business.

乌鸦传媒淭he government has helped us out so much with so much government funding that there乌鸦传媒檚 no way that I can complain,乌鸦传媒� said MacDonald.

Launching phase four of B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 restart plan in early July, which included making masks optional, Train Station Pub and Midtown Station co-owner Rhonda Lindsay said that provincial health officials should have expected a surge in COVID-19 cases.

乌鸦传媒淎t this point, we don乌鸦传媒檛 have a choice but to participate in these restrictions because if they don乌鸦传媒檛 get it under control, it乌鸦传媒檚 just going to get worse,乌鸦传媒� said Lindsay. 乌鸦传媒淚 can乌鸦传媒檛 say that it surprised us. It is super unfortunate.乌鸦传媒�

Lindsay added that she anticipates measures to last through the summer.

乌鸦传媒淭his has put such a strain on so many of our team and the entire management team. Everyone is trying their best. It乌鸦传媒檚 a real hit because we乌鸦传媒檙e trying to keep our staff morale high,乌鸦传媒� she said.

乌鸦传媒淭he hospitality industry deserves to create confidence in this industry, and we need public health to help us to give confidence.乌鸦传媒�

READ MORE: Modelling group warns of 乌鸦传媒榬apid growth乌鸦传媒� in COVID cases, recommends masking for all indoors

aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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