Joanne Laucius
More businesses, services and municipal services will be permitted to reopen Friday as Ontario heads into Stage 2 of reopening the economy.
But please note, permission to reopen doesn’t mean that businesses and facilities will be open — and there will be protocols and measures in place for those that do.
The best advice if you are planning to visit a business? Call ahead or visit its website first.
Here’s a rundown of what is permitted to reopen — and what will actually be open in Ottawa:
• Outdoor dine-in services are permitted at restaurants, bars and other establishments starting Friday, including patios, curbside, parking lots and adjacent properties. Ottawa city council has approved a motion that waives enforcement of various zoning provisions for temporary patios and outdoor retail spaces on private property until a temporary zoning bylaw is in place.
• Personal and personal care services, including tattoo parlours, barber shops, hair salons and beauty salons, can open with health and safety measures in place
• Shopping malls are reopening, including food services for take-out and outdoor dining only
• Tour and guide services, such as bike and walking, bus and boat tours, can open, as well as tasting and tours for wineries, breweries and distilleries
• Water recreational facilities such as outdoor splash pads and wading pools, and swimming pools, can open on Friday.
However, the city of Ottawa has said that it will likely be July 6 before the municipal beaches at Mooney’s Bay, Westboro and Petrie Island are open. Ottawa’s splash pads are expected to be operational by mid-June. However, the city doesn’t know yet when it can reopen indoor and outdoor pools, municipal museums and galleries and community centres for non-recreational activities.