Correction: An earlier version of this article stated restaurants are limited to a 25 per cent capacity. This is not the case and we regret this error.
With new serving rules and earlier cut-off times for selling liquor, Airdrie’s restaurants are doing their best to adjust to new COVID-19 restrictions.
On Nov. 24, Premier Jason Kenney announced a number of heightened restrictions meant to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. The new measures include a maximum of six people from the same immediate household at a table and no movement between tables. Establishments are prohibited from providing live performances, billiard, arcade, video or dart games.
The new rules apply to communities that are under “enhanced” status in the province, including Airdrie.
Kenney said during his address the measures will be in place for a minimum of three weeks and will be re-evaluated in mid-December. He also acknowledged that every additional measure put in place will make life harder for Albertans.
"Every new restriction makes it tougher for business owners to stay open and for thousands of people to pay their bills," he said. "I encourage all Albertans to shop local and continue to support Alberta-based businesses wherever and whenever possible. These restrictions are about protecting people's lives."
Farouk Elsaghir, co-owner of Pauls Pizza Steakhouse and Lounge, said new restrictions continue to pile up during what has been a rollercoaster year for the restaurant industry. The newest slate of public health measures come just two weeks after restaurants in Alberta were ordered to close by 11 p.m. and stop selling liquor after 10 p.m.
“We also had to spend a lot of money on things like Plexiglass between our booths and VLTs – that was thousands and thousands of dollars so we could seat people," he said. "If we didn’t put that stuff up, we would have lost a lot more money than we currently have.”
He added the people most affected by the latest restrictions will be front-end staff.
“We have had to cut some shifts because we aren’t currently busy inside the restaurant,” he said. “There has been a lot of trial and error. Who knows, maybe after three weeks, things will get better.”
While the restrictions have caused hiccups for many local restaurants, Elsaghir said Paul’s Pizza has taken the new directive in stride. According to Elsaghir, business has stayed strong in recent days due to Pauls' strong take-out and delivery model.
When the new restrictions were announced, he said there were initial concerns because the establishment was asked to close down its VLTs. Restrictions deemed any establishment with fewer than 15 VLTs would have to halt operating the lottery machines, which Elsaghir said would potentially result in a loss of $2,000 per week.
The VLT shutdown notice came Nov. 27. Within a few days, Elsaghir said he'd had created a petition to speak out against the shutdown.
“I made a big deal about it and made a petition which got about 300 signatures,” he said. “By Sunday, [Alberta Health Services] had reversed their decision and said the VLTs could operate again. It didn’t make any sense from our perspective.”
While the decision was short-lived, Elsaghir said it could have had a lasting impact on some businesses that are already struggling to stay open.
“You bring a lot of income in with VLTs,” he said. “Not only do you earn money from the machines, but you also have customers who buy drinks and food. If the machines aren’t operating, the wait staff aren’t getting tips either.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
