Restaurants are gearing up to reopen indoor dining for the first time in more than a month and a half, the head of B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association says.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e expecting to reopen Tuesday,鈥� CEO Ian Tostenson told Black Press Media.

This, after Premier John Horgan said current 鈥渃ircuit breaker鈥� COVID-19 restrictions will end as scheduled May 25.

鈥淭he circuit breaker will be over and a road map will be laid out for all British Columbians to see,鈥� Horgan said at a Thursday press conference.

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Tostenson has been telling restaurant owners and staff to ready themselves to welcome customers back inside their establishments.

鈥淩estrictions end at midnight Monday so service Tuesday will be wide open.鈥�

The important thing, he said, is that businesses reopen with the same safety protocols as early spring, when bars and eateries served indoor diners.

鈥淭hat means only six people at a table, distancing between tables and masks.鈥�

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Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said restrictions will be lifted 鈥渟lowly,鈥� that the end of the long weekend will not mean a return to pre-COVID times.

鈥淣othing is going to be back to 100 per cent on Tuesday,鈥� she said.

Tostenson is hopeful that as COVID-19 vaccination rates in the province increase, restrictions imposed on restaurants ease.

鈥淭he industry is excited,鈥� he said.

鈥淪ome owners are hesitant to reopen but many 鈥� especially those who have continued to serve customers on their patios 鈥� are excited.鈥�

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sarah.grochowski@bpdigital.ca
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