'Definitely excited': Waterloo Region gyms, restaurants eager to return to full capacity Monday
Business owners in Waterloo Region say they're excited to return to full capacity on Monday.
Friday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford announced more non-essential businesses that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including restaurants, gyms, and casinos, can return to full capacity starting next week.
Also beginning Monday, the government will allow other settings like museums and personal care services to lift capacity limits and physical distancing, if they choose to require proof of vaccination.
"I think it's a step in the right direction and happy we are moving forward," said Monica Jutzi with Janet Lynn's Bistro in Kitchener. "Everyone is making reservations and everybody is wanting to get out there. Some are still hesitant but we have been doing well, our numbers are good."
The move toward lifting capacity limits comes as business owners look to financially recover from ongoing pandemic restrictions.
"This will be incredibly significant to our revenue," said David Marskell, chief executive of THEMUSEUM. "I think both that people will be able to come out in large numbers but also psychologically people will say it's safe to."
"We are cautiously optimistic but definitely excited,” said Matt Rolleman, owner of Gym 41 in Kitchener
There's also excitement for further reopening benchmarks in the coming months. The provincial government announced vaccine passports could be phased out in the New Year, with mask mandates potentially lifted late March.
"As we get into the winter and spring we will continue to follow the news to see when we can be wide open," Marskell said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.