WATCH: Restaurants welcome end of mask mandate

• Businesses can still mandate masks
• Most owners say they are leaving it up to the individual
• Worries inflation may stymie bounce back

After two years of navigating and enforcing public health orders, the hospitality industry breathed a sigh of relief Thursday.

As of 12:01 a.m. Friday, masks will no longer be required in most public places.

“You know what’s really important, is for people to see people’s faces and to see the actual emotion, the expression, and those non-verbal cues.” President of B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association Ian Tostenson told Kelowna10.

“I think that all of us were getting a little bit tired of trying to read people’s eyes.”

He said it will be a much easier for the hospitality industry to lose masks versus having to enforce them, but thinks the first little while will be ‘odd’ for people.

Tostenson said he appreciated the slower approach to loosening restrictions in B.C. compared to other jurisdictions. Because of the slow approach by Dr. Bonnie Henry, he said most businesses were closed for fewer days than most places in North America.

He predicts a boom is coming for the beleaguered restaurant industry, especially after the vaccine card mandate is over April 8.

But because the industry has struggled with staffing shortages, he hopes people will be patient and understanding with staff as they replenish their workforce.

The busy season may help many places pay down debt from pandemic disruptions. But the start of this boom comes amid higher costs due to inflation and record-high fuel costs.

Tostenson doesn’t think this will slow enthusiasm and thinks businesses will adjust their menu to keep prices competitive.

“We don’t want to have $30 hamburgers in restaurants. That will kill the market,” he said, adding the economy will eventually normalize and the sticker shock won’t be as bad as people may think.

Jeremy Cummins, general manager at Jack’s on Bernard, shared in the optimism.

“I know all the staff are excited about it. A lot of the other restaurants and businesses along [Bernard] Ave. are really excited about it too. We’ve chatted with a few.”

While businesses have the option to continue mandating masks, Cummins said he’s leaving it up to personal preference among his staff.

There’s no official celebration for the news but Jacks is getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day next week and the season ahead.

“We’re excited for it,” Cummins said. “I think we’re gearing up for a really big summer and I think everyone’s ready to celebrate going back to some normality.”