COVID restrictions introduced in the eastern Fraser Valley on Tuesday, Sept. 28 aren’t expected to impact restaurants.
Ian Tostenson, spokesperson with the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association said it’s status quo for now.
“Restaurants are still only requiring a single vaccination,” he said. “That’s until Oct. 24 and we can’t see anywhere where they (Provincial Health Office) changed that.
That’s good news for restaurants that are struggling with the implementation of the vaccine passport system.
Tostenson said that lower vaccination rates in the eastern Fraser Valley can be correlated with a decline in business for restaurants that are asking customers for proof of vaccination.
He also said there are “inconsistencies” from restaurant to restaurant, in terms of who is checking what.
“But what we’re seeing is that the public is starting expect to see it, and if it doesn’t happen, they’re not liking it,” he said. “So it’s kind of self-adjusting for restaurants to be a bit more disciplined. We’re especially concerned about the restaurants are openly defiant, saying ‘We’re not going to do this.’
“But the counter to that one is the government has started enforcement and giving out fines.”
