Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

Provincial health measures have kept certain businesses like gyms and nightclubs closed since Dec. 22, but they appear inconsistent to the Kamloops business community.

The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce is asking the provincial government to provide data and its "rationale" for the closure of fitness facilities, as it was one of the few industries named in the order.

"How is transmission at gyms exceptional to that of shopping malls or organized sports, which remain open without any additional restrictions?" the Kamloops chamber asked in a news release.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry delivered renewed restrictions on Dec. 21 that ordered the temporary closure of fitness centres and night clubs, which was intended to continue until Jan. 18.

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The orders were made in response to rising COVID-19 cases, at least partially attributed to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. While health authorities have struggled to keep up with daily case numbers, which are estimated to be higher than the confirmed daily figures, hospitalizations rates are expected to continue to rise.

The Kamloops chamber recognizes provincial health authorities' need for action, including business closures, but said the businesses affected would benefit from transparency when there are certain industries that may be targeted by provincial health orders.

"We are urging the government to produce rationale that would support the closures in the fitness industry and the reduced capacity and closures in the hospitality sector compared to other sectors, so that our members and the public can better understand the rationale for these orders and future orders," the chamber release reads.

Dr. Henry and the ministry of health have not released data that fully explains the rationale for gym closures, but the province's top doctor did address the reason for gym closures at a press conference earlier this month.

"The reality is, and we've seen this repeatedly, these are indoor activities with adults in a group even wearing a mask where the risk is higher. It just is. When we have a lot of transmission in the community, gyms become amplifiers," she said.

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Meanwhile, some gyms, including Iron Energy Gym in West Kelowna and No Limits Fitness in Kamloops, decided they would disobey the order. One of their chief reasons is because of a lack of clarity outlaying how gyms are a source of transmission.

The provincial government also offered a grant program for businesses affected by the Dec. 21 order ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

According to the Kamloops chamber, the applications were only open for the grant 21 days after the announcement of the order, and the criteria for the grant was restrictive.

The range of grant funding available for businesses rose based on the amount of employees, with businesses having 100 or more employees able to maximize the $10,000 grant.

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