Proposed loosening of restrictions have some restaurants cautiously optimistic

WINNIPEG – The next proposed loosening of restrictions could see restaurants open back up to indoor dining with 25 per cent capacity– and that’s got some owners licking their chops.

“This afternoon is infinitely better than it was yesterday morning for me, you know?” said Bobby Mottola, the president of Academy Hospitality Group.

“It’s kind of the first real sense of good news, and a definitive spot in the future that you can look forward to.”

Mottola is excited to get Pizzeria Gusto back up and running, even if it means a capacity of 25 per cent of their normal 100 people.

“It’s taxing on big rooms when there is no one in it, it’s taxing on the staff. So, even just the opportunity to have 25 people, to continue doing what we’ve wanted to do from the beginning is terrific.”

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With relaxed restrictions come stipulations, restaurants will need to close by 10 p.m. and you can only go to a restaurant with members of your household. This could be tricky for restaurants to monitor but Mottola says he’s keeping his faith in Manitobans.

“We know and understand the toll COVID has had, I don’t think anyone, and I hope that no one would be flagrant about this and use it as an opportunity to set us back.”

Mottola says 25 per cent will grow eventually, and he’s both excited about that prospect and prepared to be patient. Jessie Hodel, co-owner of Roughage Eatery, feels this may be coming too fast.

“I think the numbers are still too high to have a bunch of people, mask off, in a small room [with] maybe not the best ventilation.”

Hodel has some staff members who are immunocompromised. She says with a capacity of 10 people, 25 per cent would leave her restaurant with a two-person maximum.

She says there is no point in risking her staff and a little bit of extra income for a loosened restriction like that.

“What if I have a family of three people here? We get charged. That’s ludicrous, that’s outrageous. Why can’t we wait until springtime to have outdoor dining again? Or people who want vaccines get them by then. It’s just not worth the risk,” said Hodel.

Another concern Hodel shared was the potential for a third lockdown. She says she’d rather wait until springtime out of an abundance of caution, than go into yet another lockdown.

The proposed loosening of restrictions is set to begin on Feb. 13.