For restaurateurs, province's slow and steady approach a necessary gamble

For Ottawa restaurants eager to reopen, the province's slow and steady approach to getting the economy moving again presents a difficult dilemma: open too soon and risk a second wave of infection;wait much longer and go out of business.

On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a three-phase plan to open up different sectors of the economy, depending on the risk.

While the restaurant industry wasn't singled out in the province's plan, some owners suspect they'll be last on the list to reopenand face limited seating capacities when they do. A second wave of infections and restrictions wouldbe a final blow for many.

It'sthe lack of income for an indefinite period of time that will kill them.- Lori Mellor, Preston Street BIA

"All the businesses want to get back to the old normal," said Lori Mellor,executive director of the Preston Street Business Improvement Area (BIA).

"But they all support this more cautious approach, because if we race forward too quicklyit will spell disaster for them."

Theplan depends on meeting a number ofcriteria in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus, including a "consistent two-to-four-week decrease in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases."

Ontario's chief medical officer confirmed Mondaythe province has not yet begun thatdecline from the current peak.

"Everybody would love to knowwhat date we are shooting for," Mellor said. "It'sthe lack of income for an indefinite period of time that will kill them."

Bracing for a long wait

Restaurants in particular are bracing for what they expect to be a long wait.

Antonella Ceglia, the Preston Street BIA chairwhose family has owned La Roma in Little Italy for 30 years, said not having a target date for reopening is difficult.

"I'm OK taking things slowly. Ijust wish we had more dates in mind so we have something to look forward to," she said.

It makes me sad that some restaurants loved in this city won't be able to operate very much longer.- Antonella Ceglia,La Roma

Cegliasaid La Roma has adapted and is ina better position than many restaurants, some of which may never reopen.

"It makes me sad that some restaurants loved in this city won't be able to operate very much longer," she said.

While the slow approach is generally understood and accepted, Mellor said many particularly new businesses are running out of time.

"No one's cushioned against losing revenue for three straight months, or four or six," she said.