UPDATE: According to comments on Jai and Roma's Facebook post from manager Kari Pender this afternoon, the restaurant's owners have now decided against reopening.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: A pair of Okotoks restaurants are among the growing list of Alberta businesses defying pandemic restrictions and reopening.

Jai Indian Restaurant and Roma Italian Restaurant, which both occupy the same space on McRae Street, announced their plans to offer dine-in service via a Facebook post last night.

Kari Pender, manager at both locations, says the reopening isn't a stubborn act of defiance, but rather a necessity.

"We're not trying to go against rules and regulations but at this point, I don't think small businesses really have the option right now except for defiance, because they're going to sink."

At the same time, Pender says she realizes the move is a statement in and of itself.

"We just figured that we'd try to stand our ground and show everybody that all businesses are essential, and little family-owned businesses need to open up to. They need to make a living and provide for their families, and the people who work for them need to get back to work too. Going on EI isn't going to support their families."

She says they still want to help curb the spread of COVID-19, and will have health protocols in place.

"We'll still be following all the protocols like the six feet apart, the sanitizing, of course, cleaning the tables and chairs in between, wearing masks, sanitizing the menus and machine and stuff like that. So there will still be the protocols."

They're also capping the number of customers at 50% of maximum capacity, similar to the restrictions from late-November, prior to the current restaurant restrictions being implemented.

Pender says the post has received some backlash, but the response has been positive for the most part.

"There are people that are coming out from Olds, and Red Deer and Lethbridge just to come support us, and we have a tonne of reservations booked for tonight."

Roma's post has received over 160 shares.

 

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