Residents 12 and older will have to show proof of vaccination before entering a restaurant as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 21.
New Brunswick’s restaurants are preparing for next week’s mandate.
Restaurants Canada’s vice-president for the Atlantic Office, Luc Erjavac, says this mandate is a lot better than a shutdown.
“Our industry really couldn’t handle a shutdown, so this is a preferable approach,” he said in an interview.
But since restaurants are in the business of accommodating people, Erjavec is worried about enforcement.
“What they’re seeing in some provinces is, there is a negative reaction from some customers. They are berating staff, they’re causing difficulties and, in a lot of cases, they’re just refusing to come to the restaurants. Unfortunately, with this, we are the ones who are going to be checking on them as they enter, and in some cases refusing them entry,” he said.
Erjavec said the new health regulations will cost restaurants more because owners and operators will have to hire new staff to monitor patrons.
“What we are seeing, is we are essentially going to have to hire a new staff person in a lot of cases to monitor this, to check for certificates. Even in New Brunswick, requiring you to check ID as well,” he said.
New vaccine measures were introduced by Premier Blaine Higgs on Wednesday.
