Ottawa restaurant fined for allowing patrons to wait on patio—days after thousands protest nearby

The owner of The Grand Pizzeria said that people were allowed to sit and wait on the patio for their takeout food. No food or drink was served, rather patrons waited in the sun for their food to be ready for takeout.

For this, the restaurant received a fine of $880 from Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services officers on Sunday for opening the patio prior to pandemic restrictions having been lifted, according to CTV News.

One customer replied to the situation on Twitter, tweeting, "No service, just a table and chairs. We ordered takeout and sat at the tables. No different than the people sitting on city benches in front of the ByWard Market building."

The Ford government is set this week to release the specifics on "Stage 2" of reopening businesses and services.

Due to Ontario's emergency protocols, restaurants and bars are permitted to offer takeout and delivery, but there is to be no dine-in service, and patios are still closed.

Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services officers have the power under Ontario's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to present an $880 ticket to all non-essential businesses that choose to open during the pandemic.

The protests, for which thousands turn out despite pandemic restrictions, and without protestors following the socially distancing guidelines, did not see anyone fined.

In fact the protest, organized by No Peace Until Justice Coalition, saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "take a knee."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has not yet lifted restrictions on restaurants and their patios, praised his police chief for being out in the protests as well.

Though The Grand Pizzeria was fined for opening its patio, it merely allowed patron to wait in that area, socially distanced, and otherwise following pandemic protocols.