Whereas the impact of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our local economies and small business owners;
Whereas there is no data demonstrating that restaurants, gyms, and local independent retail stores are a source of community spread of COVID-19 in York Region;
Whereas many restaurants have a seating capacity well beyond 10, the current limit under the Control-Red restrictions; and
Whereas it seems contradictory for a restaurant that has a capacity of 16 to allow 10 patrons, the same as a restaurant with the capacity of 200; and
Whereas the accepted COVID-19 safety standard for physical distancing is 2 meters; and
Whereas restaurants and stores are already subject to all COVID 19 Public Health safety protocols and inspections and have an excellent record of compliance on a % basis; and
Whereas restaurants and stores have invested tens of thousands of dollars in training, PPE, Sanitizers, Air Filtration & Purification Systems to protect and ensure the highest levels of safety for their staff and their patrons; and
Whereas many restaurants have to maintain large staff compliments to remain open, even when serving only 10 patrons indoors; and
Whereas British Columbia’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bonnie Henry and Alberta’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw have both publicly shared data on transmissions in their provinces and have acknowledged that restaurants operating at 50% capacity with proper safety measures in place can provide a safe environment to meet with family members;
Whereas the closure of in-person dining has driven people to congregate in homes where there is clear data and contract tracing of community spread of COVID-19 through these gatherings; and
Whereas a number of restaurants have already closed permanently with many more facing the same fate throwing owners into financial ruin and their employees into poverty; and
Whereas retail establishments have no set capacity limits under Control-Red restrictions,
Therefore be it resolved that:
- York Region Council request the Province of Ontario’s Health Table, moving forward, to review its Control Red restrictions and consider the following changes:
Restaurants
- Replace the limit of 10 patrons and cap operations at 50% capacity as sanctioned by local Fire and Public Health
- Require patrons to be seated at tables 3 metres apart minimum, or impermeable barrier between tables
- Limit of 4 people seated together unless from the same family unit living together
- Establishments must close in-person dining by 10:30 p.m., last call at 10 p.m.
All Retail & Gyms
- Operations at 25% capacity as sanctioned by local Fire and Public Health
- A copy of this resolution be sent to the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Provincial Health Table, Premier, Deputy Premier, all York Region MPPs, all Regional Chairs & Regional Medical Officers of Health in the GTHA.
Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli
That Council end debate and vote on the pending motion.
Carried
A recorded vote on the pending motion was as follows:
For: Barrow, Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Grossi, Hamilton, Jackson, Jones, Li, Lovatt, Mrakas, Pellegrini, Perrelli, Rosati, Scarpitti (16)
Against: Hackson, Quirk, Taylor (3)
Absent: Heath, Vegh (2)
Carried