B.C.’s COVID-19 curve continues to move in the wrong direction, prompting new rules for bars and nightclubs in the province. (The Queens) 

By Kyle Ireland

NEW ORDERS

Amended health orders for bars, nightclubs could cripple local businesses

Sep 14, 2020 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — Newly amended public health orders pertaining to liquor service and operating hours have local bar and nightclub operators on edge.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered all nightclubs and banquet halls to close during her update on the pandemic on Tuesday, Sep. 8.

She also ordered all bars, pubs and restaurants to stop liquor sales at 10 p.m. and most venues to close at 11 p.m.

Jerry Hong, owner of The Queen’s in downtown Nanaimo, said the province has yet to hand out orders to him but this latest ruling could make it even harder to stay open.

“This came so suddenly, what am I supposed to do with all the beer I bought and all the food that I bought for the upcoming shows that we have planned,” Hong said.

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Hong pointed out despite no major outbreaks of the virus on Vancouver Island, some irresponsible operators on the mainland have ruined the industry.

“We’re always erring on the side of caution to ensure that we comply and we have complied with everything the provincial government has issued to us but they’re making it harder and harder every time,” Hong said.

Sebastian Barkovic, owner of Koncept Nightclub said he had been limited to mainly private gatherings after further amendments in July.

The club re-opened in June after adjusting its business model to align more with bars instead of a nightclub.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW the latest rules from the province could be a death sentence for his business.

“My guess is that if we open back up, it’s not going to be at full capacity again. If the wording is specific, I doubt that many of us are going to stay open any longer,” Barkovic said.

Barkovic estimated his club brings in about $1,500 between the hours of 10 p.m and midnight and one-hundred dollars every minute after that.

“Are we all going to just keep paying into this prime real estate downtown and hope that we can reopen for the two busiest nights of the year coming up, Halloween and New Year’s, I doubt it.”

The government’s website which publishes all new and amended health orders has not been updated since Sep. 3.

— with files from Alex Rawnsley

kyle.ireland@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Kyle_Ireland31