Indoor bars and dining spaces reopened in 24 out of Ontario’s 34 regions last Friday, launching Stage 3 of the province’s reopening. Toronto is still waiting on the province to be able to leave Stage 2
Patrons sit on the patio as waitress Paulina Pasierbek, right, fixes a hand sanitizer bottle at Joey Sherway, part of the Joey Restaurant chain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on June 24, 2020.With the imminent reopening of bars and restaurants in Toronto, the city’s mayor is calling for added public-health measures in food and drink establishments across the city, including midnight last calls, additional capacity limits and mandatory masks.
Mr. Tory wants food and drink establishments in Toronto to further limit their capacity in order to ensure physical distancing can be respected. He also asks that face coverings be made mandatory for all staff and patrons. Patrons would have to remain seated at all times inside restaurants and bars, unless they are entering or exiting the space, using the bathroom or paying for their services.
These measures are part of Toronto Public Health guidelines, but Mr. Tory is asking to see them added to the province’s legal regulation for Stage 3 reopening in Toronto, adding that “the province may want to include other large jurisdictions as well.” In an e-mailed statement, the Ontario Premier’s office said it appreciates the City of Toronto’s advice and that it will “continue to work directly with them as we evaluate when the region may be ready to safely enter Stage 3.”“Our top priority is the health and safety of all Ontarians,” the statement added.
“Generally we all want to do our part to make sure that we get through this pandemic,” said George Kakaletris, owner of Union Social Eatery in Toronto. But he worries the industry is “being focused on a little too much,” while health risks also exist in industries such as retail, he said.
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