Alberta businesses respond to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions
Posted Feb 8, 2021 5:07 pm.
Last Updated Feb 8, 2021 10:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Alberta has implemented the first phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions in the province, allowing for bars, restaurants, and indoor fitness to open back up.
Ernie Tsu, President of the Alberta Hospitality Association, says people in their industry are excited about the changes.
“You know the most important component right now is being able to see our staff get back to work, and be able to start collecting some paycheques again.”
He adds that it has been a long wait and the industry has been anxious for in-person dining to return.
“We have a high volume of reservations that are coming in today, we’re very excited about that, and it was great to see that so many of the breakfast locations around town were you know busy right away this morning.”
“Restaurants have gone over and above to make sure that we’re providing the safest possible environment out there for the public.”
Vice President of the Alberta Hospitality Association, Leslie Echino, says they are beyond happy to be open in any capacity, but she points out the costs of running a restaurant are massive.
“Even with the 90 per cent rent subsidy that just doesn’t give us enough to even break even being closed, being open in such a limited capacity also I don’t think will be profitable in any way or form. The most positive aspect is going to be on the mental health of myself and my staff.”
“Just being able to pay any of the bills is great, you know I’ve got huge bills piling up and they’re getting bigger and so I think just in order to get open it’s going to be a massive confidence boost and I think we’re quite happy just to be open.”
The Tennis Academy in Calgary also opened its doors and Operations Director Karen Spiers says although competition is at the core of the sport, they are happy to take what they can get.
“For us to have an indoor recreation facility be able to open its doors and save people from the cold and the hazardous icy conditions, it’s good timing.”
However, she adds every time restrictions have changed, they have had to basically reinvent their programming against almost impossible time constraints.
“You know, all last week we thought we were opening for one-on-one private lessons only, and then to have this dropped. This information dropped to us on Saturday without even I think a proper announcement.”
“We’re happy, but it’s also extremely frustrating.”
