‘50 per cent is better than 0 per cent’: Ottawa businesses relieved to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted
Many local businesses are relieved that reopening plans are around the corner, but some were hoping this would happen faster.
This is just step one of three stages in Ontario's plans to ease the COVID-19 restrictions, spread out over several weeks.
"Every day that you don’t have someone sitting in the seats, it’s lost revenue," said Johny Bonney, the King Eddy’s general manager.
The restaurant staff are cautiously optimistic about being allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity starting Jan. 31.
"At this point we are going to take what we can get," he said. "50 per cent is better than 0 per cent.”
Gyms can also reopen on Jan. 31 with the same capacity restrictions.
Meanwhile sports venues and concerts can host 500 people or 50 per cent capacity, depending on which is less.
“I think it’s a good start, but I think now that we have the vaccine it’s time to get over it and fill up the arenas,” said Thomas Vanier, a sports fan.
Businesses hoping to catch up after the lockdown period.
For gyms, January is their peak season.
"We have lost about a half month's worth of revenue due to the lockdown," said Ashley Mathieu, owner of Anytime Fitness on Kent Street.
"Only 27 per cent are at normal revenues for this time of year,” said Julie Kwiecinski of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. "COVID-19 debt is still over $100,000 and an alarming 18 per cent of Ontario small businesses are actively considering bankruptcy,” she added.
Those who survive, hoping to get closer to normal.
"Members are already super pumped to come back on the 31st," said Mathieu.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.