Bars hit with more restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus
The Quebec government slapped harsher restrictions on bars following a jump in COVID-19 cases since establishments reopened on June 25.
The stiffer measures include a last call at midnight instead of 3 a.m. and restricting bars to 50 per cent of their capacity. People are expected to leave by latest 1 a.m. in order to shorten the hours when physical distancing is typically ignored.
Health Minister Christian Dubé and Quebec’s Director of Public Health Horacia Arruda delivered the news on Thursday afternoon in Montreal. During the press conference, Dubé also noted that dancing is prohibited and patrons must be seated at all times.
“The reopening of bars has already led to some very worrisome situations, which are likely to affect the protection of public health,” he said in a press release. “We will not let recalci-trant people or wrongdoers undermine the efforts that have been made in recent months.”
Dubé urged compliance from Quebecers. It’s only through a collective effort that people can limit the spread of the virus and save lives, he explained. Arruda added that it doesn’t fall solely on bar owners; the clientele needs to be aware of the risks.
“Respecting physical distance, washing your hands, wearing a mask, avoiding large gather-ings: these are very important gestures that do not prevent you from enjoying life or resum-ing your activities,” said Arruda.
The restrictions will take effect starting July 10. But the government is planning to revisit the situation in a few weeks, according to Dubé, as several bar owners have already expressed their displeasure with the new measures.
The provincial government spent several days consulting with the ministry of public securi-ty, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) and the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ).
Bar owners will also need to establish a register to record a patrons contact information
Dubé said this initiative respects privacy protection rules and is intended to facilitate epide-miological investigations in the event of an outbreak.
Stan Groves, owner of the Golden Lion Pub in Lennoxville, supports the provincial gov-ernment’s decision. He believes that at this point the safest way to recovery is by limiting time spent in bars, especially later in the evening.
“People want it to be over, I suppose, and it’s sort of your habit, you know? Social people want to go around and see people that they haven’t seen for a long time,” said Groves.
He acknowledged that it is disappointing to lose out on three hours of business. However, he said it becomes a lot harder to keep people at the recommended physical distance when alcohol is in play.
The Golden Lion, like all bars and restaurants, has undergone serious changes since the coronavirus outbreak. While the large patio is operating at 50 per cent, Groves had to rent out a locker to store tables and chairs from inside the bar to adhere to distancing rules.
He said that has had the biggest impact since reopening. On rainy days people are forced indoors, but due to the two-metre rule between tables, the bar is working with about 40 per cent capacity. It’s rough, he explained, but at least sales are still coming in.
“We’re in a good position in that we could have weathered the storm for long, but my heart goes out to the upstart restaurants that only have one or two years in,” Groves said.
With the Quebec government’s newest rules in place, he will also need to cut down on staff again. They won’t need as many bartenders or waitresses. But he said the bar is hiring more bouncers to make sure people comply with the midnight cutoff.
The Association Restauration Québec (ARQ) also released a statement following Dubé’s announcement, deploring the government’s decision and stating that it will inevitably have a negative impact on many Quebec restaurant owners.
The ARQ said that the new measures will have a residual effect on restaurants holding a bar license. Terraces will have to close at midnight and other sections of the restaurant will also need to comply.
“We recognize that there is still room for improvement, but we would have liked the gov-ernment to pay more attention to enforcing existing standards in institutions that ignore them, rather than adding new ones to everyone, even those that meet them,” said François Meunier, ARQ’S vice president of public affairs.