All who want to avoid further lockdowns should encourage establishments to adhere to rules

Re: Step 3 of Ontario’s reopening: Better days

we’ve worked hard to see, Editorial, July 16 Like so many others in Niagara, I ventured out to a local restaurant on Friday night excited to celebrate Ontario’s long-awaited promotion into Step 3 of reopening.

Ten feet inside one of my favourite dining establishments I was shocked to witness the following: a bartender mix- ing drinks without a mask on; a waitress at cash wearing her mask in a manner where it only protected her throat from COVID-19; a server without a mask on making repeated trips from the kitchen to the hostess stand to deliver takeout orders; and another waitress wearing a mask only over her mouth.

All staff described above were frequently within six feet of each other and customers. At this point, the egregious behaviour I observed is not due to a lack of knowing what to do. The restaurant industry has suffered terribly due to COVID-19 closures. That is why I found it incredible that on the first day of eased restrictions, staff at an eatery would show such wanton disregard for health protocols. This type of non-compliance is simply going to get the very businesses who pleaded to reopen closed again.

Niagara Health can’t possibly conduct site inspections at every business. As such, it behooves all of us to hold establishments accountable. If not, we will certainly face further restrictions in the future. Let’s speak with our wallets by supporting the businesses who realize the pandemic is not over. I will take my appetite and celebrations to establishments whose staff do the right thing. John Ashwood Ridgeway