Rustic Reel Brewing Co. is one of Kelowna's newest hot spots.

(JENNIFER SCHELL / iNFOnews.ca)

No official orders have been made to scale back activities in Kelowna after a spate of COVID-19 cases were announced, but businesses are being proactive in dealing with any perceived risk.

“Due to multiple staff members having been to establishments with confirmed COVID19 cases, we’ve decided to close our doors while all of our staff get tested,” Rustic Reel Brewing Co. announced through its social media Saturday, July 18.

“We take the health of our guests and staff very seriously. We plan to re-open on Wednesday after we receive our results back and can ensure the safety of everyone.”

They said it’s a “heartbreaking decision” but the best one they could make given the circumstances.

Similarly, the Train Station Pub has stepped back.

“Your safety alongside our staff (members') is our number one importance. Until further notice, we have taken steps by temporarily reducing our hours of operation to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. every day,” they said in their social media.

They encouraged people to book their stay on our website which is the link found in our bio.

As of Friday, there have been 235 positive COVID-19 tests in the Interior Health region and 35 associated with the community exposure in Kelowna around Canada Day on July 1, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a media briefing July 17.

Dr. Henry said she expects the number infected in Kelowna will increase in the coming days.

It is taking five to seven days for infected people to show symptoms, which means the area is now in its third generation of exposure from that weekend.

Infections are largely amongst young people in the 20- to 30-year age groups, where they may not notice mild symptoms.

“The parties in Kelowna were done mostly with the right intent,” Dr. Henry said. “They were small parties but with different people every night.”

That’s why it’s essential, she said, to keep track of people who attend such gatherings and to closely monitor for any symptoms.

Overall in B.C., there were 28 new COVID-19 positive tests in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial total to 3,198.

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