in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 4, 20 21 | 4 At Village Orthodontics in Oakville, we specialize in beautiful smiles using clear aligners and traditional braces. New Patients Welcome Schedule your complimentary consultation today! 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville villageortho.ca Book your Personalized Smile Consultation today Let's Connect A Delmanor Resident. Photo taken prior to COVID. delmanor.com Virtual Tours Available. Call to Discover The Delmanor Difference. (905) 469-3232 1459 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville Halton is calling on the province to change its pandemic restrictions for restaurants that currently only allow 10 people to dine in a red-zone estab- lishment. During its most recent meeting, regional council passed a motion that asks the Ford government to al- low restaurant capacity based on a percentage of square footage and the ability of a restaurant to safely serve guests, simi- lar to what British Colum- bia has done. "Our provincial gov- ernment can help Onta- rio's struggling food ser- vice industry by revising its current rule of only 10 customers for all restau- rants, regardless of size, to one that is capacity- based," said Oakville May- or Rob Burton, who put forth the motion. "Other jurisdictions have applied capacity- based limits on restau- rants that take into ac- count percentage of square footage and the ability of a restaurant to safely serve its patrons, which is similar to what Ontario has already ap- plied for grocery stores, retail and non-essential businesses." The motion highlights the results from the latest Restaurant Canada sur- vey, which found that eight out of 10 restaurants are either losing money or barely scraping by, with more than half operating at a loss. "Our restaurants and food service providers have simply been devas- tated," said Oakville Councillor Dave Gittings, who seconded the motion. "While curbside pickup and food delivery services have provided some mini- mal relief, we are current- ly at a point where doors are going to be closing, jobs lost and an important draw to our main streets and shopping areas are at risk." The resolution goes on to note that Halton restau- rants have invested thou- sands of dollars in person- al protective equipment and modifying their spac- es to provide a safer envi- ronment for employees and customers. According to Restau- rants Canada, dining es- tablishments across the country have spent over $750 million on training, sanitizer stations, person- al protective equipment, air purification systems and more since the pan- demic began. REGION URGES PROVINCE TO HELP SAVE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY Halton restaurants are currently only allowed 10 dine-in guests under COVID-19 red zone restrictions. Metroland file photo MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com NEWS