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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.