Friday was the first day in close to six months that proof of vaccination wasn’t required to be seated at a restaurant.
“We’re excited for it, one less step to take at the door and good to see some old faces that maybe opted out of the vaccine. We’re excited to get some people in here, nice to get back to normal,” said Jeremy Cummins, General Manager of Jack’s Kelowna.
With no COVID-19 restrictions in place at restaurants, Cummins expects business to be busier moving forward.
He noted that the elimination of checking for proof of vaccination is not expected to affect staffing.
“We greet our guests at the front door anyway, so I guess just one less step for them. They’re probably happy, for sure,” said Cummins.
BC Restaurant and Food Association President, Ian Tostenson said now that the restrictions have been lifted, they are looking at ways to bring workers back into the restaurant industry.
“We’re going to start a campaign in the next couple of weeks to encourage people who have kids at home that aren’t working for the summer to go to their favourite restaurant and apply for a position. It’s a great first time job,” said Tostenson.
“We’re going to attract as many people back into the industry as possible.”