Sixth wave of COVID-19 impacting small businesses in Toronto

Every time there has been a wave in this pandemic it has impacted businesses, so it isn’t surprising that the sixth wave is also causing some disruptions.

Some businesses say while they wish there was ongoing government support, they are learning to manage through the bumps.

“The sixth wave is having an effect on reservations and the flow of people coming through the restaurant. Not to the same extent as it would’ve in December,” says Erik Joyal, the owner of Ascari Hospitality Group, a restaurant and event company in Toronto.

Joyal says the rise in COVID cases is impacting business when it comes to patrons and staff.

“[Last week] A couple of our cooks and basically the entire kitchen staff went down. Myself and my partner had to cook on Saturday. I haven’t been in the kitchen for five years and he hasn’t in probably four years. We had to figure out a way to make it happen,” says Joyal.

Through this wave there are no government supports. The recent small business COVID relief grant has paid out over $158 million dollars so far, on top of the two grants which distributed $2.3 billion dollars to over 110,000 small businesses in Ontario.

While restaurants along King Street appear to be busy, CityNews spoke with managers who seemed stressed. They are taking on jobs they don’t normally do.

Restaurants Canada says the hospitality industry is trying to navigate through the new normal.

RELATED: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Ontario climb for fourth straight day

“They have been experiencing staffing shortages since they’ve reopened. A lot of people left the industry so it’s nothing new. Most restaurants have just adjusted their hours,” says James Rilett, the vice president of Central Canada, Restaurants Canada.

While cases continue to rise, the Ford government is standing strong by saying they don’t plan on bringing back any COVID-19 measures or mandating masks. However, this promise doesn’t mean much to some.

“Every time they’ve been shut down, a few weeks before that, they’ve been told that there is no way they’re going to be shut down. So we’re worried. It’s something you always have to be aware of,” says Rilett.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says while it continues to be a stressful situation for some, businesses are learning to manage better.

“When the Omicron variant came down, we literally had businesses calling and saying things like help I can’t get staff. They’re all sick. And now that’s changed to help me access paid sick days that the Ontario government is offering,” says Julie Kwiecinski, the director of provincial affairs for Ontario with the CFIB.

The province is continuing to offer three paid sick days related to COVID-19 to all employees until July 31st. The Ministry of Labour’s office tells CityNews as of April 1, 383,000 workers have accessed these days.

“You’re always trying to… I hate the word… but always trying to pivot… to figure out how to make things work… how to get the doors open and host your customers. How to do it in the right way,” says Joyal.

The CFIB says the average small businesses has about $166,000 dollars of COVID-related debt. Businesses we spoke to today say they are hoping customers continue to show their support in any way possible.