Quebec restaurant, bar owners cry foul over restrictions as venues reopen at full capacity

Sergio Da Silva says there's nothing like playing a show in front a packed house at his downtown Montrealbar 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 theco-owner of Turbo Has.

As of Friday, show venues with assigned seatingin Quebec, includingcinemas, theatres and amphitheatres were allowed to open at full capacity.

While many have welcomed the news, bar owners likeDa 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.

TheNew Association of Bars of Quebec (NABQ) is also asking the government for a little reprieve to help restaurants and bars hard hit by thepandemic.

It's askingthe government "be consistent."

"If 22,000 people can be side by side in an amphitheatre like the Bell Center, with 10 centimetres of distance between them, we should also allow restaurants and bars to accommodate the permitted capacity of their establishmentsand to close at 3 a.m.," saidNABQ president Pierre Thibault in a press release on Monday.

Insideboth restaurants and bars, a maximum of 10 people or three private residences can share the same table.Barsmust also limit themselves to 50 per cent of the maximum capacity provided for in their liquor license.

Bothrestaurants and bars can serve alcohol until midnight and must close at 2 a.m.

'It will take us a little while to catch up'

Meanwhile, one venue gearing up to reopen at full capacity is the Centaur Theatre in Montreal. But the executive director says the announcement came as a surprise.

"It's a big jump without a lot of chance to plan for it, so it will take us a little while to catch up," saidEda Holmes.

She says the theatre won't be able to welcome a full house until some point in November, when its first show is already in full swing.

Holmes says she's also concerned that the audience isn't quite ready to sit in such close proximity to each other. To that end, the company is sending out a survey togauge how people arefeeling.

"I want our audience to literally tell us what will make them comfortable because we want to make sure they feel happy," said Holmes.

Only people who show proof that they are fully vaccinated will be allowed entry into show venues. Wearing masks will be mandatory while seated, unless a person is eating or drinking. The same rules will apply to outdoor venues.

Province not changing rules soon

Quebec's Health MinisterChristian Dubsaid this week that he's closely monitoring the epidemiological situation of the virus and is looking at easing some restrictions ifthe situation remains stable.

But as far as bar and restaurant capacity limits go, he says nothing is likely to change for at least a few weeks.

Da Silva is urging the government to give bar owners a timetable so they can prepare for a full reopening.

"I need to be able to pay my rent, I have to buy groceries and in order for that to happen I need people to be in here spending money and doing whatever they have to do so I can get by," he said.