Kelowna’s mayor urges getting vaccinated amid new restrictions

Kelowna’s mayor is asking that people get their COVID-19 vaccines following the announcement by the B.C. government that implements tougher restrictions in the Central Okanagan.

The ‘circuit breaker’ announced Friday, which adds a number of restrictions, came as the Interior Health region’s active COVID-19 cases tripled over the past week to over 1,200.

The new cases are mainly being contracted by people between the ages of 20 and 40 who are unvaccinated, or have only received one dose.

In a release, Mayor Colin Basran said he understands people are tired of COVID-19, but acknowledges that the virus is still spreading in the community.

“Please follow the advice of our public health officers and please get vaccinated. We all need to do our part to support the ongoing public health response and get vaccinated. Protect yourself and your community,” reads the mayor’s statement.

Basran goes on to thank those who have received their jabs, as well as the businesses that continue to implement COVID-19 safety plans.

According to his statement, 76 per cent of the eligible Central Okanagan population have received their first shots, while 62 per cent are fully inoculated.

Basran also acknowledged that summer is a social time of the year, but reinforces the public health officials’ message that travel to and from the region should be discouraged until more of the population is fully vaccinated.

“The sooner we all do our part, the sooner we will return to normal. Please roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated,” the mayor advised.