Rollercoaster of open and closed business over pandemic could be changing everyday habits
For The Lakeview Restaurant, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announcing indoor dining can reopen at 50 per cent capacity Jan. 31 is like seeing a light a end of the tunnel.
“This is our 90th birthday this year, and what a way to start our 90th. We really feel hopeful people will come out and support the way they always have, the moment this ends,” General Manager Frances Bell told CTV News Toront on Thursday.
Bell said that before the Omicron variant came on the scene, people were returning to the restaurants, but the restrictions, along with the open and closed ups and downs, have had a real trickle down impact on the industry.
From employees out of work, paying vendors and landlords, to coping with leftover food and paying bills.
Inflation and the minimum wage increase also changing the dining landscape.
“Prices in every restaurant in Toronto are going to have to increase,” she said.
Over the coming months, the government plans to ease capacity limits at restaurants, theatres, gyms, and other indoor venues.
The rotating closures have Torontonians evaluating their habits.
“I did change it a little bit, I do dine out less but it would be nice to have social interactions again,” said a woman sipping on a coffee outside a coffee shop along Bloor St. W.
“I think I would definitely do movie theatres, and restaurants for indoor dining, but the gyms still kind of suss me out so I’ve been doing a lot more at home work outs,”said another woman.
“I noticed a few months ago my ability to save was completely wiped out,” a man said.
“I did go to the theatre just before the lockdown and we were like 10 people in the theatre, so I think some places are more risky then others,” another man said.
Bell believes people haven’t changed too much, and will want to get back to life and their community spaces.
“There’s kids out there who want to see their friends and have a milkshake, parents who need a break and want to have a drink,” Bell said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
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.
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.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.