Long lines outside Ottawa stores as non-essential retail opens in Step 1
Shoppers were greeted by long lines outside stores across Ottawa on Friday, as non-essential retailers opened their doors for in-person shopping for the first time in nine weeks.
"It's exciting, to be cooped up for so long and to finally be able to go out safely," said one shopper. "Everyone is very respectful, everyone is very nice."
Long lines were reported at stores across the city, with people looking to buy summer clothing and other items following the stay-at-home order. Some shoppers told CTV News Ottawa they spent over an hour waiting in line to shop.
"We expected it. We set our alarms this morning to be here on time," said one shopper. "I think we waited about an hour, hour and a half at the first store."
Another shopper said they were shopping, "just to feel normal, have the freedom."
Under Ontario's Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen plan, non-essential businesses are allowed to open at 15 per cent capacity. Essential retailers are allowed to open at 25 per cent capacity, including discount and big box stores.
At Tanger Outlets in Ottawa's west-end, dozens of people stood in line outside several stores, including Under Armour, Roots and Aerie.
At South Keys, there were long lines outside both the Winners and HomeSense Stores Friday morning.
Non-essential retailers have been closed since April 8, when Ontario imposed a stay-at-home order in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.
At Kunstadt Sports, employees were welcoming patrons back.
"We’ve had tons of people coming in looking for new rackets, getting them strung up, couple biked dropped off as well," said Erik Dinardo, manager of Kunstadt Sports. "We expect it will be even more tomorrow heading into the weekend as well."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca