'You're putting us back in a tough spot': Restaurateurs react to reopening with capacity limits
Local restaurants are reacting with mixed feelings to the government’s plan to allow indoor dining at 50 per cent capacity beginning Jan. 31.
In fact some say while it’s a step in the right direction, it may lead to further losses for some in the industry.
For Matthew Long who owns MJ’s Roadhouse in Lucan, operating at just half may actually be a step backwards, at least when it comes to profits.
“You need less staffing to run the take-out only,” said Long “Now you’re going to do the 50 per cent idea where you’re going to bring in enough staff to take care of that. But at the same time you’re just hoping that those customers are actually going to show up. It’s tough, you’re putting us back in a tough spot.”
Initially, the Doug Ford government was considering Jan. 26 as a target reopening date. At least one local industry representative believes waiting a few extra days is the smart thing to do.
“It will give us enough time to plan, order, schedule,” said Jerry Pribil, who owns Marienbad Restaurant and Chaucers Pub in London, and sits as a regional board member of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association.
“Still, the 50 per cent capacity is great, certainly much better than doing just take out and delivery. But again, it is the 100 per cent that helps us during the Fridays and Saturdays, which are the two days that most of us in our industry are making money.”
Middlesex London acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers warns people not to let their guard down or their mask, whether eating in or dining out.
“Regardless of those public health measures, reduce your social contact as much as possible, make sure you’re wearing a mask, limit your non-essential gathering activities until we’re into the spring because I do think that Omicron will continue to transmit and we do know that where people gather the risk of transmission will go up.”
As for Long at MJ’s Roadhouse, he said he’ll be ready to welcome diners back in for something to eat, even if it takes a bite out of his bottom line.
“So if I lose a little money in the next few months and my people don’t leave me and can make a living, that’s way more important.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.