The Kamloops Blazers will be able to have fans in the stands after all.

Following an announcement from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Interior Health has eased restrictions that prevented large events from taking place in the Interior, as long as people are fully vaccinated.

It comes on the day B.C. launched its COVID-19 vaccine card for non-essential businesses like concerts, sporting events, and restaurants.

Organized indoor events – like Blazers games – can have 50 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is greater, while outdoor events like a Kamloops Broncos game can have 5,000 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity in attendance, whichever is greater.

Earlier today, the Blazers announced they will in fact be hosting a pre-season game this week, after being forced to cancel two games because of the restrictions in Interior Health.

No details were released though on the availability of tickets, but the Blazers will host the Prince George Cougars on Friday night, Sept. 17, before heading north to play a game at the CN Centre on Saturday.

At smaller organized events, people will need to have at least one dose of a COVID vaccine until Oct. 24, at which point they will need to be fully vaccinated. These events can have 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

“Thank you to everyone across the Interior who continues to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” IH President and CEO, Susan Brown said, in a statement. “However, we can’t let our guard down now. Getting vaccinated and being able to show proof of vaccination is how we can now resume some events and activities safely and with more people.”

As well, high-intensity group exercise classes can resume in Interior Health as long as everyone – including the instructor – is fully vaccinated. All other fitness and exercise classes require proof of a minimum of one dose of the vaccine until Oct. 24, after which time two doses will be required.

For now, outdoor personal gatherings like birthday parties, backyard BBQs, and block parties are limited to no more than 50 people while indoor personal gatherings like dinner parties and gatherings at vacation rentals are limited to five guests or one other household.

Non-essential travel to or from the Interior remains discouraged until individuals are fully-vaccinated, while masks are still mandatory indoors across the province.

In the Kelowna area meanwhile, where a COVID-19 outbreak was declared nearly two months ago, alcohol service can continue after 10 p.m., effective today.

“These measures will remain in place until Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates,” Interior Health said, in its statement.

“The interval between first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses has decreased to 28 days for everyone. People can get vaccinated by dropping into any IH immunization clinic and are available here.”

Health Minister Adrian Dix said today about 83 per cent of Kamloops residents are vaccinated.

Interior Health says testing is still available to people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. You can book an appointment online here, or by phone at 1-877-740-7747 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day.