ByWard Market comes to life on opening weekend of Step 1 of COVID reopening
The ByWard Market was buzzing with crowds it hasn't seen in months during the first Saturday in Step 1 of Ontario's COVID-19 reopening plan.
Patrons filled patios throughout the day, and local shops saw more foot traffic as many shared a feeling of progress.
"I’ve been waiting for this day for a really long time. It’s great to be outside and see other people, interact with other people," said Gilles Taillefer, who was spending the day downtown.
"I think we’re at a point where we’re starting to feel optimistic and hopeful, which is a big change from where we were a while ago," said Julie Compton who lives nearby.
Saturday’s rush came on the heels of the first full night since reopening, that saw a once silent ByWard Market come alive overnight.
"It was busy, it was fun and all throughout the day you could almost feel this special kind of electricity in the air, it was almost surreal," said David Mangano, owner of The Grand Pizzeria.
"I think for small business it was getting to a breaking point. I think that we had to get open or it could have been disastrous."
Parking lots in the downtown were packed Saturday too, spots were hard to come, a sure sign of those eager for a taste of freedom.
While buzzing streets brought joy to many businesses, for others still stuck on the sidelines, like hair salons, it brought frustration.
"It’s definitely a bit difficult to see. I’m happy that things are starting to open up, I’m happy for everybody but the frustration is there," said Walid Zurub, owner of Salon Salwa.
But as restrictions loosen and crowds grow, there is a renewed plea from medical experts to move ahead with caution.
"We can’t throw out the mask and forget about social distancing and being cautious, not yet," said Dr. Ronald St. John, the former federal manager to the SARS response in Canada.
Here's is a look at what's allowed to open in Ottawa in Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen plan:
- Outdoor dining with up to four people per table, with exceptions for larger households
- Non-essential retail permitted at 15 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
- Essential and other select retail permitted at 25 per cent capacity, with no restrictions on the goods that can be sold
- Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres
- Outdoor fitness classes, outdoor groups in personal training and outdoor individual/team sport training to be permitted with up to 10 people
- Movie theatre drive-ins are permitted to open
- Day camps for children permitted to operate
- Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites are allowed to open, including Ontario Parks, and short-term rentals
- Outdoor horse racing tracks and motor speedways permitted to operate without spectators
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, landmarks and historic sites may open with capacity and other restrictions
Retail stores in malls must remain closed unless the stores have a street-facing entrance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.