New capacity limits and physical distancing requirements will soon come into effect for many Ottawa businesses as the city faces a soaring COVID-19 case rate likely driven by the Omicron variant. Shortly after, the province also unveiled new capacity rules, meaning many of the businesses targeted in Etches's letter would actually have to shift gears on Sunday instead. Wide swath of businesses affectedThe capacity limits announced by OPH apply to:Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments. 'Extremely difficult decision'In addition to the new restrictions, Etches said OPH is also urging local businesses to allow any employees who could work remotely to do so. OPH is in talks with the province about "novel approaches" to increasing the pool of immunizers, she added.

Source: CBC News December 18, 2021 21:03 UTC