Restaurants turn to takeout as pandemic closes dining rooms again
CBC
Some restaurants on P.E.I. will have to rely on takeout and delivery for the next two weeks, during a time that many planned to host an annual event that features specialized dishes to help boost business.
Tuesday, just two days into Winterdine, P.E.I. announced new COVID-19 measures that prevent indoor dining at restaurants until at least Jan. 31.
Organizers of Winterdine announced Wednesday morning the event would be postponed.
P.E.I. has 2,214 active cases of COVID-19. Eight are being treated in hospital.
Melissa Murphy, manager of Taste of India restaurant in Charlottetown, told CBC News Tuesday evening it's short notice, but she understands the need for the restrictions. And it's not the first time COVID-19 has shut down indoor dining, so restaurant managers have some experience dealing with it.
"It's just trying to give people as many hours as I can through the two weeks and hopefully not have to lay anybody off," said Murphy.
While some employees are worried about reduced hours, Murphy said there is an upside to closing temporarily to indoor dining.
"It's hard when we have the dine-in because we can't be six feet away from our customers so there's always that paranoia if we're going to catch COVID," she said.
"You just don't know, not being able to distance yourself when you're serving."
"I don't think it surprised anyone in the restaurant industry that it was coming," Kevin Murphy, president of the Murphy Hospitality Group, said of the restrictions.
"We have to get through it, we have to get to the other side, and get this behind us."
Murphy said this is something that he sees affecting all small businesses — that it extends beyond restaurants and hospitality.
"Businesses need support. There's no question they are struggling," Murphy said.
"They are on their knees. How do we help them? I think that's my biggest question. Let's get through to the finish line."
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