Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

COVID-19

COVID-19 cases continue to spread from Blue Grotto concert, owner will close for a few days

Oct 21, 2021 | 3:50 PM

KAMLOOPS — COVID-19 cases continue to spread from a concert on Thursday, Oct. 14 at the Blue Grotto Nightclub in downtown Kamloops.

“It’s about just keeping the community safe and [not sick] and keeping the hospitals empty like we’re supposed to do,” Blue Grotto Owner David ‘Puppy’ Johnston says.

Johnston told CFJC News that out of the 24 people who have been tested, 18 have tested positive for the virus.

“Fifty guests, probably about six staff and maybe 12 band members — that was all that was in the room that night for no more than a three-hour event,” Johnston explains. “So to me, yeah, that’s a significant number of cases in that short number of time.”

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Johnston spent more than $7,000 COVID-proofing his bar by installing plexiglass walls to separate tables. Even with that, he says it’s impossible to keep the virus out.

“We knew we weren’t going to come out of this unscathed. The amount that’s coming out of this one event is shocking. Shocking. And eye-opening. This is why I came out with it right away,” he continues.

In an email to CFJC News, Interior Health says it cannot disclose the vaccination status of the Blue Grotto attendees that were tested.

According to Johnston, everyone who entered the building scanned their vaccine cards. Although as cases from the Oct. 14 event continue to rise, Interior Health has not told him to temporarily shut down.

Johnston says the Blue Grotto has been professionally cleaned and sanitized, but as an added measure, he will close the doors for a few days. He says other businesses should follow suit.

“I think it’s the best thing a business owner can do is jump on this. Be proactive, take the financial hit. Make sure the community’s safe first.”

Johnston feels it might be an indication that the club and event industry is not ready to be at full capacity.

“Let this be a warning to people. Even under the very strictest guidelines that we have been running here at the Blue Grotto, this can happen anywhere – and it’s not cool to not report cases,” he says.