Non-essential travel to Central Okanagan to be avoided during COVID-19 surge

To continue managing the central Okanagan COVID-19 outbreak declared on July 28, 2021, Interior Health (IH) has implemented additional restrictions to reduce transmission.

Effective Friday at 10 p.m., the following restrictions will be in place for the central Okanagan region including: District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and the Regional District of Central Okanagan):

·       Indoor and outdoor dining is allowed at restaurants for groups up to six people and liquor service must stop at 10 p.m.

·       Casinos may remain open with a COVID-19 safety plan in place

·       Nightclubs and bars are ordered to close (only those establishments with a full meal service may stay open)

·       Sports and exercise:

o   Indoor low-intensity group exercise is permitted with reduced capacity

o   Indoor high-intensity group exercise is not permitted during this time

·       Gatherings in vacation rentals (including houseboats) are limited to five guests, plus the occupants

On Monday, August 9, at 9:00 a.m., the following additional restrictions come in to effect:

·       Outdoor personal gatherings (e.g., birthday parties, backyard BBQs, block parties) are limited to no more than 50 people, and indoor personal gatherings are limited to five guests or one other household

·       Indoor organized gatherings and outdoor organized gatherings (e.g., weddings, funerals, seated events) are limited to no more than 50 people with a COVID-19 safety plan in place

Masks remain mandatory for all people age 12 and older in indoor public areas throughout the central Okanagan.  Non-essential travel to and from the region should be avoided.

These restrictions remain in place until further notice.

More than 95 per cent of recent COVID-19 cases in the central Okanagan are among people who are not fully-immunized against COVID-19. This is an important reminder that immunization is our most effective prevention against COVID-19.