COVID-19: Kingston, Ontario. Businesses Prepare for New Round of Restrictions and Closures – Kingston | The Canadian News

Ontario restaurants and bars are serving their last meals Tuesday night before suspending indoor meals starting Wednesday, all in an effort to reduce the growing cases of COVID-19 in the province.

Shopping centers and personal care services must reduce their capacity to 50 percent, while other businesses such as gyms will be forced to close.

The new measures are expected to remain in effect for at least three weeks.

There was a final workout before restrictions were applied at Kingston Hayabusa Academy for members of the martial arts and gymnasium. They’re making the most of it before the doors close for the next few weeks.

“Part of the reason we can come here and train effectively is because we have a working hospital infrastructure and the closure is to support that hospital infrastructure,” says academy member Anton Thorson.

“So, taking that into account, it’s a small burden to bear overall in the grand scheme of things.”

Meanwhile, at the Duchess Pub, co-owner Troy Gadbois worries about the impact of more restrictions.

“It’s going to affect our business a lot, obviously, along with all the other sectors,” he says.

The restaurant’s noon crowd was arriving for what marks the last time, at least for a time, that customers will be able to eat inside.

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“Take out. It’s death for a thousand cuts; hopefully, it’ll pay some bills,” says Gadbois. “But it’s certainly not something we can subsist on, that’s for sure. But at the same point, some people will have a few hours, hopefully it will keep people working. “

Across town, Pita Pit’s Empire Court location is another restaurant that will be hit by restrictions.

While many think of this establishment as just a takeout place, there is seating, and not filling it means less money.

“We want to be part of the solution, but at the end of the day, being part of the solution is going to hurt us,” says franchise owner and operator Trish Costa.

“The fewer people we have in our restaurants, the greater the impact we will receive.”

Back at the academy, like others, they will close their doors as they have during the pandemic, all in the hope of a better future.

“It’s not just about us,” says Hayabusa Academy co-owner Janet Wells Understood. “It’s about the community, it’s about Kingston as a whole and Ontario as a whole. We just want everyone to be able to return to a normal way of life and we are willing to do our part.

“We’ve been spinning through all of this and we will keep spinning.”

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