Further restrictions imposed on bars and restaurants due to rise in COVID-19 cases

🕒 5 min read

On Monday Premier Doug Ford announced the province was “officially in the second wave of COVID-19.” By Friday, the Ontario government released additional public health and testing measures to help keep the public safe.

"With the weather changing and more people moving indoors, the decision to introduce new restrictions on restaurants, gyms and other businesses was difficult,” he said. “However, we will do whatever is necessary, acting on the advice of our public health experts, to turn the tide on this second wave and keep everyone safe." 

New rules in effect

Ontario logged 732 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, a record for the province in a single day. Due to the “higher than average rates of transmission,” measures are being implemented across Toronto, Peel (Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon), and Ottawa. The amended order, effective Saturday October 3, 2020 12:01am, includes the following measures for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other food and drink establishments: 

- Name and contact information recorded for each patron
- No more than six guests per table
- Indoor capacity limit: 100 guests
- Operators to ensure patrons lining up or congregating outside of their establishment maintain physical distancing.

For each meeting and event facility, including banquet halls:

- A limit of 50 people and six per table.

On Wednesday September 30, Toronto City Council voted unanimously in favour of stricter measures to protect the public from COVID-19 and “slow the ongoing resurgence of the virus in the community.” As of Thursday October 8, four new temporary bylaw amendments go into effect. Any establishments serving food and drinks will be required to:

- Limit patrons inside at one time to 75
- Any background noise and music “no louder than the volume of normal conversation.” The only exception: live performances carried out in accordance with the provincial Stage 3 regulation.

Two others go into effect today, as per the Premier’s orders yesterday:

- Maintain a customer log for each patron, not just one from each party
- the number of people allowed to sit at one table limited to six.

These measures were recommended by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and are supported by data collected by Toronto Public Health. 

The government has also extended the adjournment on “any further reopening of businesses, facilities, and organizations for an additional 28 days, unless already permitted to open under O. Reg 364/20.”

Residents have been asked to discontinue social circles for now and maintain “close contact only with people living in their own household and two metres physical distancing from everyone else.” Those that live alone may have “close contact with another household.”

Premier Ford also announced mandatory face covering regulations for the province, effective as of Saturday October 3, 12:01am. 

Temporary bylaws extended

Existing temporary City of Toronto COVID-19 bylaws were also extended until the end of City Council’s first meeting in 2021. For restaurants, this includes:

- Physical Distancing in Public Spaces bylaws (322-2020, 323-2020)
- Mandatory Mask or Face Covering bylaws (541-2020, 664-2020)
- Public Health Measures for Bars and Restaurants in Chapter 545, Licensing

In the works

City council approved Mayor John Tory’s request for the city to look into ways “the City can support the industry through winter patio options.”

The council also voiced support for the province to allow liquor sales licensees to continue to sell beer, wine and spirits alongside food for takeout and delivery (Regulations 719 through 2021).

More hurdles to overcome

These changes come six-and-a-half months after the province ordered bars and restaurants to close unless offering takeout and delivery. Since then, bars and restaurants have had to adapt and reimagine not only their spaces, but business models, and menu items.

With new limits and restrictions on indoor dining arriving alongside colder weather, the industry must again, fight to survive. 

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