Pubs in Kamloops are eagerly awaiting any potential changes to Super Bowl Sunday from Dr. Bonnie Henry during her COVID-19 briefing on Friday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Kamloops pub owners brace for Super Bowl Sunday hit — but feel viewing is safer in their pubs than elsewhere

Feb 4, 2021 | 4:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — During a normal year, people would getting together in large numbers at pubs and bars to watch the Super Bowl.

“Typically, it’s a great day. Great crowds. Busy. Lots of food sales. It’s a good day, typically,” said owner of Pogue Mahone & the Central Station Pub Rob Wiggins.

Barring any changes by Dr. Bonnie Henry on Friday — when she decides to extend or reduce restrictions — pubs will remain open to patrons wanting to watch the big game. However, it will look a lot different.

“We can put the game on, but we’re not allowed to advertise that we’re having a Super Bowl party. We’re not allowed to give away any Super Bowl prizes,” said pub manager at Duffy’s Pub Stacy Crellin.

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It’s all about limiting numbers and keeping people at their own table — or at home.

“Yes, it’s safe to watch the Super Bowl, but do it with your household, do it in a way that doesn’t increase risk to everybody,” said Dr. Henry earlier this week.

It’s unclear what she will say on Friday, but Jobs and Economic Recovery Critic Todd Stone hopes the government doesn’t make the same last-minute changes it did for New Year’s Eve.

“Are there going to be any rules changes for Sunday’s Super Bowl? We all know what happened on New Year’s Eve where 24 hours before New Year’s Eve, the government hit the hospitality sector on the back of the head with a two by four, effectively, with last-minute restrictions that caused significant financial concern,” said Stone.

Wiggins added, “The industry advocates have been in contact with the provincial health and they are saying that, according to them, there will be no surprises, but again you never know.”

The pubs, bars and restaurants in Kamloops say it’s safer for people to watch the game at their establishments versus at a friend’s place with others outside your households.

“I think if [Dr. Henry] ends up shutting the pubs and restaurants down, it’s going to create a little bit of havoc,” said Crellin. “People will end up being at other people’s homes. It’s probably better to keep us open because we practice so much social distancing and sanitizing.”

Pub owners will be watching with bated breath on Friday to hear the fate of Super Bowl Sunday in B.C.