The growing COVID-19 cluster at Big White Ski Resort has prompted the Kelowna-are ski hill to tell non-locals to stay home this holiday season.
“We purged our (reservation) system. We found that about 20 per cent of our reservations were from outside the area, (which we cancelled),” said Michael Ballingal, Big White Ski Resort’s vice president.
Big White Ski Resort is cancelling non-local reservations until Jan. 8 pro-actively, citing B.C.’s provincial health orders and offering refunds.
“Though the decisions we’ve made have financial consequences and disappointed many families who were looking to enjoy the holidays at Big White Ski Resort, we have no doubt that it was the right decision,” said Peter Plimmer.
“We care profoundly about our employees, our local community, and about doing the right thing.”
The community cluster at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna has grown to 76 cases, Interior Health said on Friday.
The coronavirus cluster was first revealed on Tuesday, with 60 cases announced.
In updating the 16 new cases, Interior Health said its investigation “continues to reveal most cases are related to COVID-19 transmission that occurred within group housing, social events and gatherings.”
Interior Health said of the 76 known COVID-19 cases linked to this cluster, 44 reside on Big White Mountain. They added that 19 individuals have recovered and that no one linked to this cluster is hospitalized.
“In collaboration with the Kootenay Boundary Regional District and community leadership, self-isolation housing on Big White Mountain has been established for people with COVID-19 to recover safely with support from Interior Health,” said the health agency.
Health officials also reminded the Big White community to avoid social gatherings, stick to their household bubbles and to follow public health directions, such as physical distancing and wearing a mask.
“The risk remains low for families and individuals visiting Big White Mountain who follow public health guidance,” said Interior Health.
“In other words, it is safe to go to Big White when you stick to your immediate household bubble and avoid socializing and gathering, etc.”
It added that updates about Big White’s community cluster will occur each Tuesday and Friday until the cluster is contained.
In a press release issued at 3 p.m. on Friday, Big White said the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has implemented an emergency operations centre to help contain the cluster.
“The safeguard and the health of our employees, community and guests is our first and foremost priority,” said Peter Plimmer, president and CEO of Big White.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to support our employees and other workers on the mountain, from arranging transportation, accommodation and meals for anyone who needs to self-isolate and does not already have an appropriate place to stay.
“Our hearts go out to everyone struggling with the virus both in our backyard and around the world. We are all in this together.”