Help wanted: B.C. restaurants struggle to reopen as restrictions ease
Restaurant owners are thrilled the province has entered Step 2 of its COVID-19 restart plan, but admit they’re struggling to find staff and supplies.
Thousands of employees have moved on to other careers, uncomfortable with the uncertainty of work in the food and beverage industry since the pandemic began.
“That’s the challenge for everybody, because you have to have cooks, you have to have servers,” said Alejandro Diaz, owner of El Santo Mexican restaurant in New Westminster.
Before the pandemic, he said, El Santo was open seven days a week. Now, until he can find more employees, he won’t be opening on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The staff shortage is also an issue in Whistler.
“It’s challenging,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “A lot of people have left the hospitality industry over COVID, and so there’s a lot of work going into inviting people to come and consider working in a resort town like Whistler.”
Restaurateurs are also struggling to find supplies. Local and international farms have been limiting production because no one was buying. Now, suddenly, hundreds of eateries are demanding the same things.
“So we are opening with a limited menu, because we don’t know what is going to happen,” said Diaz. “We don’t know what’s going to be available over the next three or four weeks.”
One of the major changes that came into effect on June 15, is the ability for pubs and restaurants to once again serve alcohol until midnight. But again, without enough staff, many aren’t able to do it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.