Business owners cautiously optimistic as Ontario lifts capacity limits
Business owners across Barrie are cautiously optimistic as the province lifts some safety measures, allowing restaurants, theatres, casinos and fitness centres to operate at full capacity after nearly two years.
"It's a step forward, for sure. As long as we don't go back, we'll be very happy," said Steve Ricalis.
Ricalis co-owns three establishments in the downtown core and said he had lost roughly $2 million in revenue during the pandemic amid lockdowns and restrictions.
"Everybody thought it was going to last three months, six months, one year, two years. Now it's two years. It's crazy," he said.
Ricalis said he took out loans to keep his businesses afloat, with nearly 125 employees on the payroll.
He said he also paid almost completely out of pocket for plexiglass to separate customers.
"We spent almost around $40,000 for these plastic partisans, and now, what am I going to do with them?" he asked.
Ricalis said he would likely keep the partisans until the spring but is waiting for guidance from the province or public health.
While Ricalis is anxious to fill seats, Krista Westerneng at Namaste North Yoga Studio said they are taking a more gradual approach.
"We're so excited to be seeing some restrictions lifting and welcoming more people back into our space, but we are just slowly increasing class sizes based on the comfort and safety of our students," she explained.
Late last week, the province announced that more restrictions and protocols would ease in the coming months with its long-term pandemic plan.
Proof of vaccination mandates will start to lift in the new year, and masking could become a thing of the past by the spring, as long as COVID-19 trends don't become a concern.
The Simcoe Muskoka health unit reports 82 per cent of eligible residents are fully immunized.
On Monday, the health unit listed 43 new COVID-19 infections. There are also three elementary school outbreaks in the region, with dozens of student infections, but no schools have closed.
Premier Doug Ford said the province's plan was "super cautious."
Capacity restrictions on nightclubs, wedding receptions and strip clubs will lift in mid-November.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.