Restaurateurs may be allowed to expand patios

Premier Doug Ford says he is open to more open-air wining and dining once bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen.

With restaurateurs and publicans struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford praised Progressive Conservative MPP Gila Martow’s proposal to increase the size of restaurant patios.

“It’s something that we could bring to the health table and ask them,” the premier said Thursday, referring to the “command table” overseeing Ontario’s coronavirus response.

Martow (Thornhill) wants the province to work with municipalities and liquor licensing officials “to expand the services that patios can offer, perhaps the hours they can offer it, perhaps the locations.”

“Perhaps they could take up a bit more space if there’s maybe even park space or parking lots — that we can amend the rules,” the MPP told the legislature Wednesday.

Spilling onto sidewalks, which has long been the norm in Europe, could also be considered if patrons can sit safely apart to stop the spread of the virus.

“Our restaurants and hospitality sector are part of the hardest hit by this pandemic of COVID-19,” she said.

“Everybody here would agree that people feel a lot more comfortable social distancing outside and that, hopefully, this global pandemic has toughened us up a little bit so that even if it’s a bit chilly on the patio, we’ll walk over and we’ll dress appropriately.”

Ford emphasized that the testing trends in the province must improve before any such liberalization can be considered.

“Restaurants are hurting, but, again, it all goes back to the numbers — especially over the last four or five days we’ve seen these (positive tests) slowly creeping up,” he said.

“I want to give a shout-out to Gila. She’s a real thinker. She comes up with great ideas all the time.” The Conservatives have shown some flexibility with Ontario’s strict liquor licensing rules since the state of emergency was declared on March 17, permitting bars and restaurants to sell wine, beer, and spirits to go with takeout meals.