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Ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have forced the cancellation of the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.
The announcement comes days after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said there wouldn't be "big events of any sort, even outdoors" in BC this summer.
"Despite our planning for a number of scalable versions of the PNE Fair, it is now clear that the number of guests required to make an in-person Fair financially viable will not be allowed under anticipated Public Health Orders this summer," said spokesperson Laura Ballance in a statement on Wednesday.
"Even a modified, lower capacity in-person PNE Fair will not be possible."
Following much consideration and with heavy hearts, PNE management announced this morning that a lower-capacity PNE Fair will not be possible in 2021.
— PNE / Playland & Events (@PNE_Playland) May 5, 2021
More info: https://t.co/yquNChbp2J pic.twitter.com/p0X1DBGKCQ
After running annually for over a century, it's the second straight cancellation for the popular 15-day fair.
Last year, the PNE opened as a drive-thru experience with visitors able to order food and enjoy some reworked fair experiences.
Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart recently said the PNE needs $8 million in emergency aid from the BC government or is at risk of folding due to the pandemic.
The annual fair directly hires about 4,300 people each year and supports 9,500 other jobs indirectly.
Meanwhile, the Playland amusement park is still scheduled to open for the season in late May.
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