THUNDER BAY – John Collins admits he’s a little nervous at opening up his popular Thunder Bay restaurant to full capacity.
It’s a thought that 23 months ago would never have crossed his mind.
But he’s slowly warming to the idea, despite his reservations.
On Thursday Collins and his staff were finally able to invite a full house into Daytona’s Restaurant, under Ontario’s hastened loosening of COVID-19 guidelines, which eliminated capacity limits in restaurants, gyms and movie theatres.
It’s not that Collins doesn’t want a full restaurant, he said.
“I’m happy in one way, but I’m a little nervous in another. It’s nice to see it start to happen. I think it needs to happen. But I’m just nervous about the crowds, I’m still not used to that part yet. I’m grateful it’s happening,” Collins said.
“It’s better for the bottom line. When you have 4,000 square feet, it’s an awful big takeout stand. But we’ve got everybody back that we normally have. There’s between 40 and 60 people who work for us, so it’s great to get everybody back to work.”
Collins said his biggest concern is his family’s health, acknowledging some might be more susceptible to COVID-19 than the average person.
However, he doesn’t think the restaurant will continue to ask for QR codes for proof of vaccination beyond March 1, when the province earlier this week indicated the requirement would be dropped across Ontario.
“I understand being vaccinated doesn’t prevent the spread, so I’m a little nervous, but I’m glad we’re moving in the right direction,” Collins said.
Jenn Bisignano, the owner and operator of PUSH Fitness, said her business will also drop the vaccination proof requirement, even though under the law they could keep it in place.
It just doesn’t make sense, she said.
“The way I look at things right now is that people that have not yet received a booster, which was never mandated, depending on how long ago they got their second shot, they’re essentially unvaccinated anyway. So how can I make the distinction between having someone show me proof of a second dose that’s essentially moot, versus somebody that doesn’t have a vaccine?” Bisignano said.
The ability to have a full capacity gym is great, though it may not come quite as advertised. Despite having plenty of space, Bisignano said she may still have to play the numbers game at times, particularly in specialized classrooms where physical distancing requirements aren’t possible at maximum capacity.
Bisignano said she has fielded a few calls from anxious members worried about working out with those who have not been vaccinated, saying people are still free to wear masks at all times or even pause their memberships until they are more comfortable being around others.
“Ultimately all along we’ve been in a position where even though restrictions have been put on us we are still able to make our own personal decisions as to what our own beliefs are. That’s just going to keep going throughout the rest of this pandemic, and perhaps beyond,” she said.
