Since this morning, all restaurants in Quebec can now fill their dining rooms to 100% of their capacity. From now on, Public Health no longer restricts the number of people who can be admitted to an establishment.
However, customers will have to remain seated. Wearing a face cover will always be compulsory during the arrival and departure of visitors and when traveling.
The distance between the tables will also drop from 2 to 1 meter. If it is not possible to respect this distance, physical barriers will have to be installed, such as plexiglass.
Restaurant owners will still have to continue to enforce the limit of ten clients per table of up to three family bubbles or accommodate occupants of up to three residences.
Of course, the owners were very happy with the relaxation announced in October. This is good news as this increase in capacity matches the profitability forecasts for them, after 18 months of uncertainty.
Christmas party
But if there is still one subject that remains unanswered and restaurant owners have no answer, it is of course the organization of office parties. As we have seen above, restaurant customers must remain seated and the number at the same table is always limited.
Groups of 25 or more are possible, but not all at the same table. So how do you create a party atmosphere when there is a maximum of three bubbles per table and everyone has to stay seated? Remember that singing, such as karaoke, and dancing are still not allowed.
Faced with such a headache, some companies will probably once again have to organize virtual parties with online games and door prizes.
Once again, this would lose a lot of income for restaurateurs.
