The Kamloops Blazers have cancelled a pair of exhibition home games next week because of current COVID-19 restrictions put in place by Interior Health that do not allow more than 50 spectators indoors and 100 outdoors.

Instead of hosting the Victoria Royals on Wednesday and the Prince George Cougars on Friday, the Blazers will play in Prince George next Wednesday and then again on Saturday.

The changes to the pre-season schedule come as Interior Health appears to be the only jurisdiction in North America where a large number of fans are not allowed inside sporting venues regardless of their COVID vaccine status.

“At this time, events will not be permitted over the indoor and outdoor capacity limits regardless of vaccination status,” IH said, in a statement.

On Thursday last week, new health restrictions were brought in for Northern Health – which includes Prince George – because of rising COVID-19 cases, but those new rules aren’t as strict as the Interior. It is why the Prince George Cougars are still allowed to have up to 50 per cent capacity in their arena.

“The WHL continues to work with government and public health authorities in each of the six provincial and state jurisdictions located in WHL territory to ensure the health and safety of WHL players, staff, and officials, as well as the communities in which the WHL operates,” the league said, in a statement.

Speaking on the NL Morning News this week, Health Minister Adrian Dix did said crowds will be coming to the Sandman Centre at some point this year.

“This is why we’re bringing in the vaccine card. So that if we’re going to Blazer games – and there will be people going to Blazer games this year – will be able to do so safely,” he said. “Knowing that everyone in the rink is vaccinated… Vaccine cards don’t stop people from doing things, they enable people to do things.”

Meanwhile, the WHL is overhauling some October Western Conference games where B.C. Division teams were to play in the U.S. Division.

It means two games the Blazers were to play in Tri-City and Spokane next month have now been changed to divisional road games in Kelowna and Vancouver.

“Due to ongoing border restrictions preventing non-essential bus travel from Canada to the U.S., WHL Clubs in the U.S. Division will compete exclusively against U.S. Division opponents, while WHL Clubs in the B.C. Division will compete exclusively against B.C. Division opponents during the month of October,” the league statement added.

As it stands, the Blazers regular season home opener is scheduled for October 9.