NHL scraps weekend Canucks video games as unfold of Omicron shuts down B.C. occasions

The NHL has postponed the Vancouver Canucks residence video games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Area, because the province grapples with the unfold of the extremely contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The Canucks have been set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 4 p.m., then the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, at 7 p.m., in entrance of full-capacity crowds.

Earlier Saturday, the staff confirmed that defenceman Tyler Myers had entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, becoming a member of Tucker Poolman, Luke Schenn, Brad Hunt, Juho Lammikko and assistant coach Jason King.

Maple Leafs John Tavares, Alex Kerfoot, Jason Spezza and Wayne Simmonds are additionally on the protocol checklist.

The Canucks stated the NHL made the choice as a result of excessive variety of gamers coming into the COVID protocol, in session with the NHLPA and golf equipment’ medical teams.

“The League is within the strategy of reviewing and revising its common season schedule,” the Canucks stated in an announcement.

“Tickets for the Canucks video games this weekend will probably be legitimate for the rescheduled dates. Ticket holders are requested to carry onto their tickets and the Canucks will present extra info as quickly as it’s accessible.”

The transfer got here forward of a looming 50 per cent capability restriction for venues seating greater than 1,000 folks.

The restriction, set to take impact Monday, was applied by provincial well being officers in a bid to curb surging COVID-19 case numbers.

The brand new restrictions, introduced Friday, additionally ordered the cancellation of all organized New Yr’s Eve occasions.

On Friday, Bryan Adams introduced that his New Yr’s Eve live performance, scheduled to happen at Rogers Area, had additionally been cancelled.

Jeff Guignard, government director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C., stated the brand new restrictions can be powerful on the hospitality business, however “we all know now we have to do it.”

“It’s troublesome and its placing numerous stress on our business,” he stated.

“The excellent news is we’ve bought some discover, it’s a pair weeks earlier than New Yr’s Eve, whereas final 12 months we came upon 30 hours earlier than, so I recognize Dr. Henry gave us a heads up.”

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Beneath the restrictions, formal occasions have been cancelled, however folks will nonetheless be capable to exit to eating places — offered they continue to be seated at a desk and don’t dance or mingle.

Guignard stated eating places and pubs are actually scrambling to seek out methods to ensure visitors might nonetheless take pleasure in an evening out safely.

“I encourage folks don’t cancel your reservations proper now,” he stated.

“Give us a while to plan and discover another for you that’s congruent with these legal guidelines that may make you could have a enjoyable night time.”