With new cases of the Omicron variant showing no signs of slowing down, some of the industries and businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic are cautiously optimistic that the Alberta government will not implement further restrictive measures.
On Monday, the Ontario government announced that indoor dining rooms will be closed again as part of that province’s sweeping new health measures.
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Ernie Tsu of Trolley 5 and the Alberta Hospitality Association says the pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty for the industry.
“We are always worried about more restrictions on the way,” Tsu said. “It always seems to be the hospitality industry that stands out first.”
In Alberta, eating inside is allowed, but restaurants must comply with the province’s Restrictions Waiver Program, limit tables to 10 people, and stop serving alcohol by 11 p.m.
Although Prime Minister Jason Kenney did not announce further restrictions at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, restaurants are facing another hurdle at the moment.
“Staffing has been very difficult,” said Mercato owner Dominic Caracciolo. “A person is lost and if another person is affected in the same department, departments can close and there can be closures.”
Caracciolo says the restaurant is limiting the amount of contact different shifts have with each other by introducing staggered start times.
The restaurant is also closed on Sundays, a side effect of understaffing, but also an intentional measure necessary for cleanliness, and perhaps most importantly, to give employees a mental health break.
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“It is a tremendous tension for all the people who work here … not knowing the future and not knowing what tomorrow will bring,” Caracciolo said. “It looks like we’re back at that point with Quebec and Ontario locked down.”
As of January 3, the Alberta government has reduced the mandatory isolation time required for fully vaccinated individuals who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five.
Tsu feels that the move will alleviate the pressures caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
“It will allow companies to keep their staff much more intact and have regular working hours.”
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