FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. -- A major B.C. grocery chain is bringing back capacity limits to help control the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron Variant among staff and customers.

Save On Foods has announced all stores in the province, including Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, will operate at 50 per cent of maximum occupancy.

Signs will be posted on the doors with each stores specific capacity limit.

The union that represents Save On Foods workers had requested the change.

Kim Novak, President of United Food and Commercial Workers International, says

"We are asking the public to be patient. The reason that crowding is being reduced it’s to protect our members and to protect the public as well who are shopping. So in the event there is a line up, please make sure you’re respectful and follow, as well as keeping distance in stores when you’re shopping while members are working and while you’re waiting in line to pay for those groceries."

Save On says it’s also working on reducing congestion inside the stores at key choke points, like the deli and bakery sections.

Capacity limits will be enforced until further notice.