The Den Pub and Carvery. Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

New Public health Measures

Grande Prairie restaurants grateful to remain open despite new COVID restrictions

Nov 27, 2020 | 1:45 PM

A pair of Grande Prairie restauranteurs are happy to be able to keep their doors open for restricted dine-in service, as the Province of Alberta implemented new COVID-19 public health measures on Tuesday.

Starting on November 27, restaurants in communities under an enhanced COVID-19 watch status by Alberta Health, including the City and County of Grande Prairie, must abide by the following guidelines for at least the next three weeks.

• Tables can have a maximum of six people from the same immediate household, and no movement between tables.
• People who live alone can meet with up to two non-household contacts as long as they’re the same two throughout the duration of these restrictions
• Only seated eating and drinking is permitted. No other services or entertainment will be allowed, including billiards, games or darts.
• Liquor can be sold until 10 p.m. and food-serving establishments must close to in person-dining at 11 p.m. Liquor sales apply to casinos, but casinos are not required to close at 11 p.m.

With the new rules now in effect, Todd Zahorodniuk, the owner of the Den Pun and Carvery says his operations won’t actually have to change too much.

“We’re open, that’s actually the number one thing. I don’t think it really restricted us a whole lot more than we already were, because we were fairly restricted to begin with,” said Zahorodniuk.

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“As people know, we have to keep everything clean, we have to keep the social distancing, we have to keep all those things anyway, so I think it’s just ‘lets work a little harder at it’, is what I get out of this whole thing.”

Brad Richards is the General Manager of Mr. Mikes Steakhouse in Grande Prairie. He tells EverythingGP that while there are tighter rules, being able to stay open is a big deal.

“We’re grateful that we’re not being shut down. A lot of people’s lives depend on us being open and we have 65 working people here. Hopefully, we can keep going ahead working in a safe manner.”

Zahrodniuk adds that with COVID numbers rising across the province, he supports the measures being taken by the government.

“Unfortunately, we’re not open past 10:00 p.m. for another (three) weeks longer, but quite honestly, it’s what it should be.

“We got to watch what we’re doing, be very careful and people can still come out, have a meal, have a couple drinks and just stay within your group and go by the rules.”

Both Zahrodniuk and Richards noted that the federal government programs have been a big help in keeping them afloat and says that if we can work together, everyone will be able to stay open, and things can be done safely.

“Just to let people go out is good, you need to have some social atmosphere and have some fun,” said Zahrodniuk. “Again, all I can say is that we just got to watch what we’re doing and then we can keep going this way.”