The Blue Grotto on Victoria Street in Kamloops.
Image Credit: Google Maps
February 21, 2022 - 2:37 PM
It’s the first weekend people have been able to dance at nightclubs in B.C., but one Kamloops owner says the biggest challenge was enforcing mask mandates for dancers.
People were eager to get back to the clubs this weekend, said The Blue Grotto owner David “Pup” Johnston said. The bar, which sets a 21-year-old age limit, was operating at near full capacity on Friday and hit its capacity limit of 250 people by 11 p.m. on Saturday.
“It was pretty unheard of for a Friday night, that’s a really good Friday night for us,” he said. Neighbouring bars also appeared to be full, he said.
For the first time in almost two years, bars and nightclubs were able to operate at full capacity and allow dancing. The gradual easing of restrictions began Feb. 15, as COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations have been in decline.
READ MORE: Indoor dancing and socializing set to return in B.C. as COVID restrictions eased: health officials
“It was difficult to manage but I think going forward next week and the subsequent weeks moving forward, we’ll be a little more on our game and ready for what’s coming up,” he said.
There has been an ongoing shortage of workers in the food and beverage industry globally and Johnston would like to hire a few more security guards to patrol the dance floor. “Holy smokes if people want to work, there are jobs to be had,” he said.
Some people left because they were uncomfortable when other people weren't wearing masks, he said.
“We don’t want that, we want everybody safe in there but it’s difficult to enforce. It’s hard to keep a mask on while dancing… it was our first weekend, perhaps we will get better compliance in the future."
Staff and Johnston continuously told people they need to wear masks on the dance floor.
Otherwise, customers were compliant when they were off the dance floor, he said.
“We were certainly all busy and it was a good vibe and people were respectful, it was just one rule that was difficult to enforce,” Johnston said.
Full capacity limits are allowed at indoor and outdoor organized events, as long as people are masked and show their B.C. Vaccine Cards. The same goes for indoor seated events such as theatres, sporting events and movie theatres.
At restaurants and bars, patrons are allowed to remove masks while seated.
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