The owner of a pub in Prince George, British Columbia, says he has seen an increase in business after announcing that the pub will continue to require proof of vaccination.
Dr Daryl Leisky, who owns Crossroads Brewing and Distillery and also works as an emergency doctor in the city, said he made the decision after talking to staff about what they wanted to do after the province canceled its program for mandatory vaccine cards on April 8.
“I think it’s important to keep our patrons safe and come to the place, knowing that everyone is vaccinated in that place,” Leisky said at the time.
But while Leisky predicts he will see a downturn in business, he says the opposite has happened.
“We were busier than ever,” he told CBC Radio West guest host Brady Strachan.
“I really underestimated the number of people who still wanted to go out [to places] where vaccine cards were placed. “
Safe place for dinner
Earlier this month, Britain’s Columbia’s chief public health official, Dr Bonnie Henry, said the province had a high enough vaccination rate that mandatory health guidelines, such as masking and checking vaccine status, were no longer needed to prevent hospital overload.
However, she said individual companies can set their own health guidelines for staff and customers.
In the following weeks, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to rise, showing a clear upward trajectory after declining in February and March.
New daily hospitalizations per 100,000 people in BC from January 1 to April 20, 2022 (BC Center for Disease Control)
Many people more vulnerable to serious illness as a result of COVID-19 infection, including the elderly and immunocompromised, said they felt “backward” as public health restrictions were eased, despite high levels of transmission. of the virus in the community.
Leisky said he has received many thankful messages from people who would like to have dinner outside but feel more secure doing so in an environment where they know people have been vaccinated.
“I don’t like to be extraordinary”
There was also a backlash. People from distant lands such as Texas and Toronto left negative online feedback on CrossRoads, and a small group of protesters gathered in vehicles and shouted to express their dissatisfaction with the demand for a vaccine card.
But Leisky says the positive reviews far outweighed the negative ones, as customers voted with their wallets in favor of the decision.
He says the vaccine requirement will remain in effect until May 2 and plans to review the decision after reviewing provincial and national COVID-19 data each week.
“I do not like to be extraordinary and this was not an easy decision [for my business]”But he has a bigger responsibility as a doctor and a leader in the community.”
Radio West6: 24Brewery and distillery owner Prince George’s Crossroads continues to issue the BC vaccine card two weeks after the province made it optional
Brewery and distillery owner Prince George’s Crossroads extends BC vaccine card two weeks after the province made it optional 6:24
Add Comment