Home Latest COVID-19: Capacity restrictions to remain in place for Interior sports venues – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

COVID-19: Capacity restrictions to remain in place for Interior sports venues – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

0
COVID-19: Capacity restrictions to remain in place for Interior sports venues – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

[ad_1]

Sports fans in B.C.’s Interior didn’t get the good news they were hoping for on Tuesday.

During a press conference, the province’s top health official, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said the current capacity restrictions still in effect for Interior sporting venues will remain in place for the time being.

Henry was questioned why teams like the Vancouver Giants, who play in Langley, can have 100-per cent capacity despite growing cases in the Fraser Valley, but Interior teams like the Kamloops Blazers and Kelowna Rockets are capped at 50 per cent.

Read more:
Canucks can finally play to a full house in Rogers Arena. What will it be like for fans?

Data from Tuesday showed the Interior Health region had 642 active cases, while the Fraser Health region had 2,002 cases.

Story continues below advertisement

The Fraser Health region, with around 1.9 million people, is around 2.3 times the size of the Interior (800,000), but also had triple the active cases.

“I understand that and I have been working with my colleagues in Interior Health,” Henry told reporters.

“We have been reviewing the orders and it is absolutely a decision that we make together.”


Click to play video: 'Rockets Report: Colton Dach trade paying off for Kelowna'



Rockets Report: Colton Dach trade paying off for Kelowna


Rockets Report: Colton Dach trade paying off for Kelowna

Henry continued, saying, “We have been looking at a number of different things in Interior Health — in the same way that we are looking at what’s happening in (Northern Health) and in Fraser and Fraser East, in particular where the restrictions remain in place.”

Henry said the things they look at are:

  • Transmission in the community;
  • Where it’s happening;
  • Who it’s affecting;
  • Vaccination rates in communities.

“So where we are still seeing high rates of transmission and lower rates of immunization,” said Henry, “those are all things that are important and we take into account.”

Story continues below advertisement


Click to play video: 'NHL builder Ken Holland to get Vernon’s Freedom of the City award'



NHL builder Ken Holland to get Vernon’s Freedom of the City award


NHL builder Ken Holland to get Vernon’s Freedom of the City award

Henry also mentioned they look at the impact on the health-care system, “and Kamloops is a good example where, unfortunately, we still have a lot of transmission in the community.

“As vaccination rates are coming up, that is great. But we’re not at the point where we feel we can take that risk of allowing that type of activity to occur with the stresses that are on the health-care system right now.”

However, Henry did note “that things are settling down right now in the Interior and people are doing a great job. Vaccination rates are coming up; the measures we’re taking are making a difference.”

She said they are looking at the restrictions on a day-to-day basis, “and I do believe they are going to be settling in the next few days. I hope that we’ll be able to lift restrictions and be able to get back to those important hockey games and other arts and events safely very soon.”

Story continues below advertisement


Click to play video: 'Capacity limits lifting for most B.C. bars and restaurants'



Capacity limits lifting for most B.C. bars and restaurants


Capacity limits lifting for most B.C. bars and restaurants

 




© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



[ad_2]

Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here