It was no surprise when the current restriction banning indoor dining at restaurants across British Columbia has been extended.
It’s just another nail in the coffin for many Burnaby restaurants who were already reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rain has started again, but a brief spate of sunny weather gave those restaurants with patios a distinct advantage.
The people behind La Forchetta – which I give a narrow edge for the title of Burnaby’s best Italian restaurant (you can argue with me and I’ll listen) – have done a frantic pivot to get in on the patio advantage by applying for and finally getting permission to add a patio – in their parking lot.
It’s not ideal, but as you can see from the photo, they’ve done a pretty good job of it with cover and lights.
Fortunately, the people behind the restaurant have skills when it comes to construction. They were one of the first restaurants in Burnaby to install Plexiglas shields between tables because they had the skills to do it themselves.
Hopefully, this move will keep some cash flowing into their coffers because Premier John Horgan announced that the current public health order curbing indoor food and drink service at B.C. establishment would now be in place a further five weeks, expiring after the Victoria Day holiday on May 24.
Although as we’ve seen, many of these orders keep on getting extended.
Burnaby businesses are able to take advantage of spring and summer weather by adding outdoor seating or expanding into adjacent outdoor spaces as part of the City of Burnaby’s Active Sidewalks, Open Businesses program, which has been extended to Oct. 31, 2021.
Businesses can apply to extend onto private property, such as on-site parking, or apply to use adjacent city-owned space. The city has created an expedited system to process applications as quickly as possible. Learn more at burnaby.ca/ActiveSidewalks.
Businesses may apply to use adjacent city space or extend into their own private property for:
- restaurant seating;
- merchant displays (e.g. clothing racks, outdoor tables, etc.);
- a pick-up/drop-off kiosk or customer queuing; or
- other uses (applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
Public health orders regarding restaurant service in B.C. were amended at the end of March to implement the restriction on indoor dining as part of a slate of "Circuit Breaker" measures.
Under the orders, restaurants may continue to offer outdoor dining on temporary or permanent patios, as well as provide take-out or delivery options.
Public health orders regarding restaurant service in B.C. were amended at the end of March to implement the restriction on indoor dining as part of a slate of "Circuit Breaker" measures.
Under the orders, restaurants may continue to offer outdoor dining on temporary or permanent patios, as well as provide take-out or delivery options.
- With additional reporting by Lindsay William-Ross
