A downtown Prince George distillery and restaurant is allowing the community to come in and dine once more.
CrossRoads Brewery shut its doors for the service almost two months ago on Dec. 7 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s situation in northern B.C. and to better protect the public from any larger case spikes.
The owner of the business is Dr. Daryl Leiski, who works in a local walk-in clinic.
At the time of the temporary closure, Northern Health was seeing some of the province’s highest infection rates per capita and University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) beds were full.
“As everyone is aware, COVID-19 is having a devastating impact globally,” said Dr. Leiski when CrossRoads closed.
“It is not just our beds and bed availability; it is our people that staff those beds. Our nurses, doctors, x-ray/lab techs, cleaners, support staff and administration are working with increased workloads, increased stressors and with little relief in sight. They worry about their own health and the health of their families.”
As of yesterday’s (Jan. 26) update, the region’s rate was 26 per cent with 38 new positive cases detected out of 143 total tests in the previous 24 hours.
According to the latest local health area numbers by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Prince George’s region tallied 76 new infections between Jan. 10 and 16, which was 32 less than the previous count of 108 between Jan. 3 and 9.
BCCDC Local Health Area Map for Jan. 10 to Jan. 16. By BCCDCOverall, since March last year, Northern Health has recorded 3,251 COVID-19 cases, which has included 61 deaths.
There are currently 16 people in critical care among 46 hospitalizations across the north and 2,650 that have fully recovered from the virus.
CrossRoads formally announced on Jan. 20 it would be reopening for dine-in.
“Once again, we are so appreciative of all the support everyone has shown us over the past couple of months,” it said in a social media update.
“From making takeout and delivery orders, to purchasing merchandise and our beer in liquor stores.”
The business is asking all patrons to only visit with those in your immediate household and to wear masks when you’re not sitting at a table.
For more information about CrossRoads and its reopening, you can visit its Facebook page.
