'Even 50 per cent, we will take it': Ottawa restaurants prepare to reopen for indoor dining on Monday
Businesses in Ottawa are preparing for easing restrictions on Monday, including restaurants who will welcome back diners inside for the first time since Jan. 4.
"We are excited! The best part about reopening is employing our servers because they take hardest hit in lockdowns," says Jennifer Wall, owner of Supply and Demand restaurant on Wellington Street.
The regulations come into effect on Jan. 31 as the province enters the first of three reopening stages. On Monday, movie theatres, meeting rooms and event spaces will be able to operate with 50 per cent capacity indoors. The same goes for indoor restaurants, bars, retailers, museums, and religious services.
Wall says the restaurant will be able to rehire most of the staff, except for a few part-time employees. She says the restaurant is ready, as they have continued to offer take-out during the lockdown.
"Half capacity is tough on restaurants. Because what you end up doing is trying to do the takeout and dine in, and that’s hard to do when you are trying to execute both flawlessly as if you are only doing one," said Wall.
She hopes patrons can consider making a reservation at local restaurants at non-peak hours, to help businesses build back.
"The biggest thing that is a struggle especially in the winter, whether it is a lockdown or not, is keep the flow even, every day of the week."
Wall says they are already booked for Fridays and Saturdays.
"The reality is those book up three-four weeks in advance especially with half capacity, but our Tuesdays and Wednesdays are looking for more on those nights," said Wall. "Just spreading out the support on all the nights of the week instead of just Fridays and Saturdays. I know a lot of other restaurants echo that feeling."
Other restaurants who were able to do take-out during the lockdown are hopeful business will return.
"No income is no income and that’s got to hurt," says Tony Hatoum with John’s Diner. "Even the 50 per cent capacity, we will take it!"
"I think with our safe, comfortable environment that we can provide for them; they will be more than anxious to come into our restaurants, and we are more than happy to embrace them!"
Hatoum says the next couple of days will be busy to get everything ready.
"In terms of busy, supplies are going to be coming in, we are going to have deliveries, we are going to be outsourcing some products ourselves, so for the public it starts Monday, but we have three or four days ahead full on, working to get ourselves in order," he says.
In addition to capacity limits, patrons will still need to show proof of vaccination. However, on Thursday Ontario’s chief medical officer of health announced some businesses no longer need to do contact tracing.
"Our key goal with public health right now is to protect our most vulnerable sectors," said Moore.
Moore says individuals must monitor for symptoms.
"Given Omicron transmissibility there is an ongoing risk in our communities, and we must individually try to reduce our risk over time by taking appropriate measures, getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, distancing, good hand hygiene, monitoring for symptoms- those will keep us protected."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.