Mayor Colin Basran is not pleased with the over-1,000-person group that protested COVID-19 provincial health mandates, including the implementation of a proof of vaccine program, in front of Kelowna General Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
In an emailed statement, Basran condemned the protests, saying that it has negatively impacted healthcare workers at the hospital.
乌鸦传媒淭hese workers deserve everyone乌鸦传媒檚 respect and gratitude,乌鸦传媒� said Basran. 乌鸦传媒淥ur position remains unchanged 乌鸦传媒� we urge residents and visitors to get vaccinated and follow all provincial public health orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in our community.乌鸦传媒�
Basran referred to the BC Supreme Court乌鸦传媒檚 decision on March 18 to strike down a public health order prohibiting outdoor gatherings for the purpose of public protest, and participants cannot be ticketed or fined.
乌鸦传媒淲hile everyone has the right to protest peacefully, the choice of Kelowna General Hospital as the location for yesterday乌鸦传媒檚 event negatively impacted the very people who have been working tirelessly since March 2020 to save lives and help people who have contracted COVID-19,乌鸦传媒� said Basran.
The mayor noted that the Central Okanagan has been B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 COVID-19 hotspot for the last several weeks and 乌鸦传媒渇rustration and fear are running high in our commmunity.乌鸦传媒�
乌鸦传媒淗ealth officials have made it very clear that this pandemic is now one of the unvaccinated. In the meantime citizens continue to lose their battle with COVID-19, front-line workers are exhausted, and businesses continue to struggle.乌鸦传媒�
READ MORE: B.C. premier supports health-care workers after protests against vaccine cards
paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com
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