'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
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest finally got down to musical business Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
Man arrested after allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Toronto police say a man has been taken into custody after he was allegedly caught trespassing at Drake's mansion in Bridle Path Saturday afternoon.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
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.