Restaurant industry dealing with uncertain return to in-person dining
The ban on in-person dining is tentatively set to end on Jan. 26, but Ontario’s top doctor now says that date is not a guarantee and it’s causing concern in the hospitality industry.
“As soon as we have clarity, we want to inform the business community, so I can’t guarantee the 26th,” Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said during a news conference this week.
The Ontario Chamber Of Commerce said businesses need the heads up to prepare, calling the lack of transparency "frustrating and unfair."
“We're given no clarity on whether or not the 26th is still on and on what basis the decisions will be made,” said Rocco Rossi with the chamber.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if any day now something comes out saying that it’s going to be delayed by another week or two,” said Tim Borys, co-owner of the Lancaster Smokehouse.
Lancaster Smokehouse currently has 15 staff members. Before the last round of restrictions, they had about 45 staff members. They intend to bring those employees back when they can reopen, but for now they have to ask them to wait until they’re given the green light.
“We’re lucky enough that I think our staff are very happy here and want to come back to work,” Borys said.
The co-owner said he is holding off on making big food and drink orders until a date is official.
“Typically you can kind of foreshadow and plan a budget for these things but with COVID and the supply chain issues you can kind of throw that out the window because nobody knows,” Borys said.
Some businesses said the silver lining is that they have done this so many times before that they could reopen on short notice.
“We've got pretty good connections after doing this for so long. If they announced it by morning and I needed it by night I could probably do it,” said Borys.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.