As COVID-19 cases surge in Whistler, B.C., and health officials urge against non-essential travel, residents are torn between keeping the ski town’s economy running and protecting locals.
The community has so far tried to balance both, with Whistler Blackcomb open to skiers by reservation only and bars and restaurants open at reduced capacity.
But now the town is being clobbered by an outbreak with almost 300 cases this month alone, most connected to young people who live and socialize together, according to health officials.
Some residents say it’s having a big impact on the workforce and that it’s time to close down to out-of-town visitors to get a handle on community transmission.
“I got sick and then I took seven other…