City eyes expanded spaces for patios when restaurants reopen during pandemic

OTTAWA -- Mayor Jim Watson wants to waive patio fees to help restaurants and bars during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Twitter, Watson said he will present a motion at Council Wednesday to waive patio fees for 2020, “to help our restaurants and small businesses get through these difficult times.”

1/2 Tomorrow at Council, @TimTierney and I – with the support of @Laura_Dudas and @Eli_ElChantiry – will bring forward a motion to waive patio fees for 2020 to help our restaurants and small businesses get through these difficult times. #BuyLocal

— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) May 26, 2020

Watson’s motion will also ask staff to report back to the Transportation Committee on June 3 with a plan providing options to expand patios on private and public property.

Watson says expanding patios would “ensure businesses can operate safely while respecting physical distancing between their customers and employees.”

2/2 We will also ask staff to bring back at Transportation Committee on June 3 a plan providing options to expand patios - on private and public property - to ensure businesses can operate safely while respecting physical distancing between their customers and employees.

— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) May 26, 2020

Ottawa’s restaurants and bars have been closed for dine-in service since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watson told reporters last week that when restaurants reopen they will have to practice physical distancing, and there could be fewer places to sit.

“If we can help them, logistically if it works, to increase their seating capacity by allowing them to have a patio in which in the past they haven’t because they haven’t had the land, then I would be in support of that.”