British Columbia lifts mask mandate, proof of vaccination to follow

British Columbia has removed the order requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public spaces as of March 11, and the province says that the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement is likely to be lifted on April 8. However, individual businesses will still be allowed to require masks if the owner decides they would like to, and the […]

Ontario may be done with proof of vaccination, but not all restaurants are

By Tom Nightingale Ontario’s mandatory proof-of-vaccination system was scrapped on March 1. Whatever one thinks of the mandates that had been in place for nearly six months, the fact is that this is another decision made by the government at relatively short notice for one of the most beleaguered industries impacted during the pandemic. “It […]

What next for Ontario restaurants at full capacity?

By Tom Nightingale The rollercoaster that Ontario restaurants have been on throughout the last two years makes Canada’s Wonderland look tame by comparison. Operators and staff have had to get used to drastic shifts to how they can operate, often at short notice, on numerous occasions throughout the pandemic. The latest of those came earlier […]

Ontario lifts restaurant capacity limits, vaccine mandates to follow

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on February 14 that the province is lifting all restaurant capacity limits starting at 12:01 a.m. on February 17, three days ahead of schedule. Mandatory proof of vaccination for restaurant guests will then be scrapped from March 1. Last month, Ontario had released its plan to lift public health measures and restrictions, […]

Two-thirds of NYC restaurants lost customers to vaccine mandate

The introduction of a vaccine mandate has caused strife for restaurant operators and staff in Canada and beyond. In New York, a new survey by the New York State Restaurant Association has illustrated just how deep those problems have been running. The survey found that more than 90 per cent of the 125 restaurants surveyed have […]

Navigating the vaccine passport rollout

By David Hopkins The vaccine passport has now rolled out in Ontario, and with it comes increased uncertainty and complications for restaurant operators, who have already faced incessant turmoil and scrutiny over the past year and a half. While the details of the vaccine passport and its enforcement vary from province to province, the gist […]

Restaurants shouldering the vaccine passport burden & blame

The last 19 months have posed many of the sternest tests that foodservice has seen in recent memory — from tumbling sales in the spring and summer of 2020 as the pandemic gathered speed to the labour difficulties and rising food costs seen in recent months of 2021. The latest has been handling the introduction […]

Operators remain divided on vaccine regulations

Vaccine regulations truly are dividing opinion in foodservice. Many restaurant operators do not agree with the new vaccine regulations including mandated proof of vaccination, and while plenty are willing to put up with the measure to safeguard the future, there are still concerns from a significant proportion of operators over a potential long-term adverse effect […]

Alberta introduces stricter health measures & vaccine passport exemption program

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has introduced strict and sweeping new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, including a form of vaccine passport. Apologizing and admitting fault for his government’s handling of the pandemic, Kenney announced a state of public health emergency on September 15. Alberta will now implement new health measures to expand capacity, increase […]

Ontario vaccine passport to be introduced in late September

Following the lead of other provinces, an Ontario vaccine passport is being introduced for restaurants and some other non-essential businesses from September 22. Premier Doug Ford and the province announced that a vaccine certificate showing proof of double vaccination will be needed to visit indoor food and drink establishments and nightclubs, as well as other […]