This is from a reliable source in the law enforcement community.
Best Regards, Bob Kelly, SVABC Pres.
bobsuek@shaw.ca 250-488-5646
Subject: ***URGENT***
On August 20th an Order in Council was added to the existing Provincial Health Order governing gatherings and events.
“An owner or operator of a place may permit up to fifty patrons to attend an event in a place if the following conditions are met:”
There is an organizer of the event
If the organizer is not the owner or operator of the place, the organizer must provide the owner or operator with the first and last names and telephone number or e-mail address of every patron who attends the event
Access to the event is controlled
The number of patrons is closely monitored
There is sufficient space available to permit the patrons to maintain a distance of 2 metres from one another
The patrons maintain a distance of two metres from one another when standing or sitting unless they belong to the same party
No more than 6 patrons sit at a table even if they are in the same party
Hand sanitization supplies are readily available
There are washroom facilities available with running water , soap, and a sanitary means for washing and drying hands.
There’s more to it if you choose to follow the link but I’ve hit the high points.
So I called the person who is heading the Provincial team responsible for the interpretation and ultimately providing guidance in the areas of enforcement in order to seek some advice on our A&W get together and I was told the following.
The “gatherings” at the A&W constitute an event as they have been ongoing for many years and those who attend are fully aware of this event without having to be invited or learning about it in any media form. “it just happens every Thursday”
Gary’s paraphrase “A person must not promote a social gathering or event or encourage another person to attend such a social gathering or event unless you follow the rules laid out above”
What does all this come down to? if a business allow people to gather then they are open to a $2300 fine. We as individuals are all open to a $200 fine for attending the A&W on Thursday as we are unable to meet all of the conditions as listed above.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf