Quebec spas, eyeing Valentine's Day, wait anxiously for reopening date
Public health restrictions were eased Monday in Quebec for private gatherings, some outdoor sports activities, and restaurants, but spas were not included, to their dismay.
There is no clear sign as to when they can reopen, even though Quebec’s spa association says many businesses have lost more than $200,000 since closing in December.
Restaurants can now open their dining rooms at 50 per cent capacity to accommodate tables of four people from two or fewer residences. Bars and casinos are also still closed with no date yet from the province on when they can reopen.
The association representing spas in Quebec says they have a particular timeline that's key for them, business-wise -- they want to see spas reopen Feb. 7 to give them enough time to prepare for Valentine’s Day, one of the biggest days of the year for them.
Spa owners also say what's difficult is that they have not been given a reason why they can't reopen.
The association says there have been no outbreaks of COVID-19 linked to spas and most clients keep to themselves while spending a lot of time outdoors.
Geneviève Emond, owner of Montreal’s Bota Bota spa, says she's shocked they haven't been able to reopen, and said her business is taking a big hit.
“At the moment, we’re only open for treatments, lke massages, but that only represents less than eight per cent of our normal capacity,” she said.
“The massage is part of the experience, but what drives people to Bota Bota and all other Nordic spas in Quebec is basically the saunas, the steam rooms, outside areas with the pools or heated tubs.”
Quebec's tourism minister Caroline Proulx said a meeting is being held Monday night to see if any more restrictions will be eased.
Quebec's health ministry said it's important to have a gradual approach to opening back up, one that takes place over several steps.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.