Eased provincial restrictions allow restaurant owners to open to 50 per cent capacity

On Jan. 20, Premier Doug Ford announced that indoor dining would resume with a 50 per cent capacity limit.

Earlier this year, the province implemented restrictions on businesses due to a spike in Omicron cases. This included a ban on indoor dining, in addition to the closure of facilities such as gyms and museums.

Prior to Ford announcing the reopening of indoor dining and gyms, he said it was going to be a happy announcement, during an interview with Ottawa radio station 580 CRFA.

“No one dislikes these shutdowns more than I do,” said Ford during the interview. “I actually despise them, but in saying that, health is a priority and I follow the guidelines of the chief medical officer, but we look forward to having a good announcement for restaurants, gyms and other folks that have been closed.

Raffeal Mattano, owner of Sam’s Cantina and Pizzeria in Windsor, said he takes it day by day when it comes to the return of indoor dining.

“The restaurant business is tough in itself and this lockdown does not help,” Mattano said.

Andrew Molnar, an employee at Sam’s Cantina and Pizzeria said he felt discouraged upon hearing about another lockdown.

“These industries are being hit the hardest,” said Molnar. “So people are confused, and losing trust and faith because of it.”

According to the IZA Institute of Labor Economics discussion paper on the economic effects of Covid-19 pandemic on entrepreneurship and small businesses, the potential consequences for businesses during and following lockdowns may include but are not limited to closed premises, reduced operating hours, job cuts, supply chain disruptions, jeopardizing the R&D processes, cessation of operations, business model changes, loss of key customers and restrictions on products and services.

Other new pandemic restrictions include the halt of the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m.