by: david carrigg
sports events, concerts, movies, weddings, parties and funerals will be permitted to operate at 100 per cent capacity as of oct. 24, provincial health officer dr. bonnie henry said tuesday.
however, henry said the move from 50 per cent to full capacity wouldn’t take place in regions that are under additional covid-19 restrictions — like parts of northern health and interior health and fraser east.
this means that the vancouver canucks’ oct. 26 home-opener will be at full-capacity, while its ahl affiliate, the abbotsford canucks, remains at half-capacity.
in a statement, canucks president michael doyle said it had been almost 600 days since the last time they played in front of a packed home stage.
“there’s nothing like the energy and excitement that fans bring to canucks games and live events,” he said. “we are thrilled to again be able to operate at full-capacity.”
bridgitte anderson, ceo of the greater vancouver board of trade, said capacity restrictions had a profound impact on the hospitality, tourism and event sector. she said henry’s announcement was a critical step toward recovery in those sectors.
henry said the change would coincide with the date it will be mandatory for anyone aged 12-and-over to present their b.c. vaccine card to access most events, services and businesses, including sporting events and concerts.