Toronto has moved forward into phase 2 of reopening. Restaurants that have been forced to close for over 3 months are still not allowed to open their doors, unless they have a patio. The city has compiled a new set of rules to allow restaurants to add patios that have not had them before. Most of these rules are unrealistic and still restrict restaurants from having them. 

I would like the city council to review these restrictions and change them to permit private patio expansions on rooftops, rear areas or side flankages or  allow the restaurants to open their doors at 50% capacity. 

These “legal” patios are serving food (that is being cooked inside) are allowing customers to use the bathrooms facilities INSIDE and if it starts to rain, they are allowed to move from the patio to dine INSIDE. 

Public swimming pools and splash pads are open. 

Massage clinics are open. 

Tattoo shops are open. 

How are these places safer than dining in a clean, sanitized, social distanced restaurant? 

Allowing some places to open but not others will be the last straw for most of these businesses. Serving takeout only, can not compete with a full dining experience. Restaurants are closing for good. Owners livelihoods and life savings are at risk. Thousands of chefs, servers, food/ beer/ wine reps are out of work and because of these restrictions have no job to go back to. 

If you do not change these restrictions or allow restaurants to open, the industry will cease to exist.