N.L. tourism operators feel cautious relief as end of COVID restrictions draw near

Tourism and hospitality business owners are looking ahead to what may be the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, as two years of public health restrictions begin to lift.

Newfoundland and Labrador is inching toward completely dropping COVID-19 measures by mid-March, following the lead of other provinces across Canada — despite new infections and deaths related to the virus continuing to add up. 

The announcement came less than a week ago, when Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said the province's high vaccination rates, availability of therapeutic medications and a less severe strain of the virus stacked up to form her decision: to gradually wind down pandemic mandates each Monday leading up to the March 14 end date. 

The tourism and hospitality industry has been hard hit over the last two years under the cloud of the global pandemic. Travel restrictions to N.L. kept mainland and international travellers mostly at bay in the early going, slashing revenue streams to razor-thin margins for operators who desperately tried to weather the storm. 

Now, some business owners are feeling relief. 

"There was a feeling of optimism, but also it came as a surprise," said Brenda O'Reilly, chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, a non-profit organization which represents tourism and hospitality operators throughout the province.

"I do know that there's a lot of operators right now getting calls.... Immediately there was reaction."

Among those already seeing an increased interest in their businesses are Cindy Whelan-Purtill and John Purtill, owners of the Georgestown Inn in St. John's.

In three weeks COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted, and the duo say calls are steadily flowing in. 

"We're feeling a lot of relief. We're hearing a lot of pent-up frustration, honestly," Whelan-Purtill told CBC News on Monday. 

"We're also hearing that some of these trips are trips that people had planned on doing two years ago, and are now going to make sure that they're going to come into fruition."

But with restrictions lifting, owners are remaining cautious of the lingering virus. Whelan-Purtill said customers are wary of another lockdown before or during their stay in St. John's, and many are asking if they will be refunded for their deposit in the event that happens. 

John Purtill said his business will keep some COVID-19 protocols in place, such as screening at the door and a focus on disinfection, to keep his family and customers safe. 

John Steele, president of Steele Hotels, said last week's announcement was nice to hear, but it's important to watch how things develop.