Quebec restaurant, bar owners cry foul over restrictions as venues reopen at full capacity
CBC
Sergio Da Silva says there's nothing like playing a show in front a packed house at his downtown Montreal bar and live music venue. But with the current COVID-19 restrictions, he's still only performing in front of a few dozen people at a time.
"Nothing quite feels right, you don't get that same feeling as you would in a packed house with people who are having a good time," said the co-owner of Turbo Haüs.
As of Friday, show venues with assigned seating in Quebec, including cinemas, theatres and amphitheatres were allowed to open at full capacity.
While many have welcomed the news, bar owners like Da Silva say it's unfair they still have to operate under restrictions.
"If you get [the vaccine passport], you can watch hockey. And like, I get that sort of idea and I think that's not a bad way to go about it. But it's a missed opportunity to not allow places like mine [to open fully]," Da Silva said.
The New Association of Bars of Quebec (NABQ) is also asking the government for a little reprieve to help restaurants and bars hard hit by the pandemic.
It's asking the government "be consistent."
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