'The moment we’ve all been waiting for': Victoria businesses optimistic about B.C. restart plan
As pandemic restrictions ease, the Victoria business community is optimistic about the coming months.
"It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for from a business point of view,” said Mark Colgate, a professor at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.
With British Columbia moving to stage three of its COVID-19 restart plan, pent-up demand could have a real impact on our economic recovery.
"We might see some revenge tourism where people who wanted to do some tourism experiences are now being able to do them,” said Colgate.
The U.S. border remains closed but Canada-wide travel is back.
"Tourism is opening up,” said Bill Lewis, chair of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria. “It's exciting that we'll be able to welcome Canadians and make the most of the summer that's available to us."
There is a catch though: during the pandemic, hotels paired down staffing levels. Now filling those roles again is turning out to be a problem.
"All hotels are finding it challenging to find staff for a number of positions, particularly housekeeping, kitchen,” said Lewis.
With the easing of restrictions, restaurants can go back to business as usual.
"We're thrilled to be able to have larger than six people, put some more tables back in,” said Solomon Siegel, co-owner of Pagliacci's restaurant in Victoria.
It won’t be business as usual inside grocery stores, despite masks becoming optional.
"We're still going to mandate that all our people wear masks," said Noel Hayward, president of Quality Foods.
The grocery store's management met on Tuesday morning and decided that staff would continue to wear masks but will revaluate in the coming weeks.
As for customers, they will be able to make their own decision whether to mask up or not.
"We're still going to maintain our seniors and those most vulnerable shopping times from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.," said Hayward.
It's a sign that despite the major step forward on Thursday, returning to normal is going to be a work in progress.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.