Alex Kurial
Local Journalism Initiative

St. Clair Township bars and restaurants can expand their patios now that Lambton has moved to stage two of the reopening of Ontario.

Restaurants and bars, who until now could only serve takeout food, will be able to seat customers at outdoor patios – as long as they are physically distanced.

The decision will allow temporary expansion of outdoor seating areas since the inside of all restaurants must remain closed for the foreseeable future. In addition to obtaining the permission of council, any establishment wishing to expand their patio must also ensure it still connects to the existing building, they can maintain control over a larger area, and they are licensed to serve liquor on a patio in the first place. 

Restaurants and bars will have to return to their regular patio sizes once indoor dining is allowed again, unless they want to undergo the planning process to make their larger patios permanent.