Businesses excited to reopen for the summer after several closures
Many businesses in Manitoba are excited to reopen for the summer after several pandemic-related closures.
Pasquale's Italian Ristorante decided to temporarily close the day after Mother's Day, which is around the time a number of new restrictions came into effect. The restaurant reopened Wednesday to once again offer pickup, delivery, and curbside.
"We're happy to be back after a month, and to get the announcement of the reopening on Saturday, our timing has been impeccable," said owner Joe Loschiavo.
"We're excited to be back and to get back into operations and get our staff back into work."
On Wednesday, the province announced it would be starting its reopening plan early after hitting the necessary vaccine benchmarks. As part of the plan, which goes into effect Saturday, restaurants and bars across Manitoba will be allowed to welcome customers back.
Outdoor dining can resume at 50 per cent capacity with up to eight people per table from different households regardless of immunization status. Indoor dining is capped at 25 per cent and groups must be from the same household unless they are fully vaccinated.
"That's still going to be up to debate on how we're supposed to be policing that," said Loschiavo.
"We know it's already a lot of strain on businesses to be taking the names and registering that information. That was a problem last time, and to police that."
Immunization cards are now available for fully vaccinated Manitobans. Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said an app will be available later this week in order to check records digitally.
"It simply will show the person's name and either a green check mark: fully vaccinated or an X: no records found," said Dr. Roussin. "Nothing is stored or anything like that, so there will be a way to verify people's vaccine status."
Under the reopening plan, personal services like salons, estheticians, and spas can also reopen to 50 per cent capacity on an appointment only basis.
"Unfortunately, this is something we've gotten good at," said Jeff Mayo, Thermea's general manager.
"During our last opening, from the time the announcement came out to the time that we were ready to reopen was 53 hours. We're probably going to be around that same time frame."
Thermea will reopen Saturday morning, but because pools are only allowed to operate at 25 per cent capacity, it will reopen below that level in order to avoid a wait to get into the pool.
Mayo said Thermea has been closed for six of the last 12 months on and off, and this reopening plan is welcome news.
"I'm confident that Manitobans are doing the right thing and that this will be the last closure for all businesses in the province, who are just going to be stronger for it," Mayo said.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce supports the cautious reopening approach, which allows businesses that have been closed with zero revenues to reopen and rehire staff.
It's encouraging Manitobans to continue to get vaccinated in order to allow for businesses to reopen at higher capacity levels, and is also encouraging the public to be patient with businesses as they reopen.
"It's not as simple as unlocking the doors and turning on the lights," said the chamber.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.