Many Nanaimo restaurants are bracing for a significant impact from the COVID-19 crisis. (Pixabay)

By Spencer Sterritt

empty tables

Nanaimo restaurants brace for COVID-19 financial impact

Mar 17, 2020 | 7:11 AM

NANAIMO — Tables are sitting empty and kitchens are quiet at many Nanaimo restaurants.

In the wake of the province limiting public gatherings to 50 people, many Nanaimo restaurants are closing their doors completely or making efforts to curb how many customers they have.

The Queens in downtown Nanaimo made the decision to close. Other downtown Nanaimo fixtures, such as White Sails Brewing and the Vault Cafe, are operating on limited hours and reduced capacity.

At Longwood Brew Pub and Restaurant, co-owner Mike Campbell said they had initially planned to remove every second table and make sure to thoroughly sanitize the restaurant.

However the restaurant announced Tuesday, March 17 they will be closed until further notice.

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“Everything is changing hour by hour, so we’re doing everything we can to mitigate damage but there’s no doubt there will be significant losses because of this.”

Campbell said it was “surreal” to see the COVID-19 crisis move from international headlines to having a tangible impact on his restaurant, with health officers urging people stay home and away from restaurants.

“I thought the government might go a little further, as they have in many other locations such as Ontario and Quebec where they’ve shut down restaurants or just allowed them to stay open for take-out.”

Campbell said he wouldn’t be surprised if an announcement further limiting social excursions is incoming.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit