The Summer Is Coming to an End
Many restaurants in Canada have outdoor dining. This gave customers more room to socially distance. It also reduced the risk of Covid 19 spreading because people were in the fresh air. However, summer is coming to an end, so outdoor dining will not be an option soon.
Many people fear that their restaurant will not be able to survive. Matthew Senecal-Junkeer is the owner of The Birds And The Bees in Vancouver. He owns the restaurant along with his wife. The restaurant only had four to six outdoor seats prior to the pandemic. They now have 50 outdoor seats.
Matthew stated that the restaurant has struggled to stay afloat financially even with outdoor dining. She said that there was a time when it rained for three days in Vancouver. That lead to a 42 percent decline in restaurant sales.
This Coming Winter Will Be a Major Test for Restaurants
John McKibbon is the owner of two restaurants in Windsor, which are John Max Sports & Wings as well as Sandbar Waterfront Grill. He stated that he is nervous about this coming fall and winter. His business has already suffered because even though they have indoor and outdoor dining, many people prefer to dine outdoors. The tables are usually full outdoors.
John and his employees managed to transform a volleyball court into an outdoor dining area. Despite the fact that several people are able to dine outside, the sales have still suffered.
Covid 19 Has Had a Devastating Effect on the Restaurant Industry
There are 1.2 million people in Canada who are working in the restaurant industry. Before the pandemic began, the restaurants were serving 22 million meals per day. However, 60 percent of restaurant owners do not believe that their restaurant will last longer than three months. Many restaurants have also closed permanently.
Restaurants Trying Their Best to Follow Health Guidelines
Mark Von Schellwitz is the vice president of Restaurant Canada. He stated that even though they are not health experts, they are trying their best to follow the guidelines. However, he also stated that the guidelines make it harder to do business. For example, the World Health Organization recommends that people stay two meters apart. Restaurants could accommodate more people if they spaced people one meter apart.
Restaurants Need More Support
The Emergency Wade Subsidy has helped many people who work in the restaurant industry. However, the rental assistance program expired at the end of August. Kevin and Kathy Murphy are the owners of 16 restaurants. They stated that they are doing everything that they can to stay afloat financially. However, they said that it is impossible for restaurants to stay open unless they are making money.
