Ottawa businesses welcome customers back as Ontario relaxes capacity limits
Residents and visitors were out in Ottawa this weekend, taking advantage of the full capacity in restaurants, gyms and movie theatres under Ontario's COVID-19 reopening guidelines.
"I love it because we get to get out and do all the things we love," said one person on his way from a restaurant to the Ottawa 67’s game at TD Place.
"I’m excited,” said Megan Wiersema. "We’ve already been able to go to one movie. I really wanted to see Spiderman."
In Old Ottawa South, the team at Mayfair Theatre were happy to welcome more people.
"A decent crowd turned out on Friday and Saturday," said co-owner Josh Stafford, adding it would take time before getting things back to normal. "I don’t think us going to full capacity has magically changed things."
Businesses in the core, facing another challenge. This Bramasole Diner on Bank Street is usually full of customers on the weekend, but that’s not the case right now.
"The people aren’t coming downtown," said the Bramasole Diner’s John Zacher. "I think people are afraid to go out or they just don’t want to go out. We have all the roadblocks now so we can’t get in that’s going to be all week."
Since Thursday, Ottawa residents have been instructed by police to stay away from the red zone near Parliament Hill. Checkpoints in place are limiting movement into the core and there’s no word yet on when it will end.
"While I would want to go to restaurants and gyms, the traffic constraints is still challenging,” said Wiersema.
On March 1, Ontario is expected to lift capacity limits for all indoor public spaces, including sports arenas and concert venues. Proof of vaccination can also be lifted but will be at the discretion of businesses. While it may draw more people out, those hoping to recover from the repeated closures and the millions of dollars in lost revenue aren’t so sure.
“Right now, even with March 1 it should be better… but I’m still skeptical,” said Zacher.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in
Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line.
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.'s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash.
Trump chooses Bessent to be Treasury secretary and Vought as top budget official
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he'll nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Trump also said he would nominate Russel Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.