Two Campbell River restaurants have announced they are switcing to take-out service only in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OX Chophouse announced Monday they will be closing their dining room doors and shifting business to a unique take-out service, in response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and Daves’ Bakery has also announced it is closing its dining room seating and providing take-out only starting Tuesday, March 17.

OX co-owner Tom Olsen says their goal is to safely maintain jobs for their employees while supporting the social distancing advisories put forward by the Government of Canada.

“What our community needs right now is a safe, local, and nutritious dining experience, and that’s why we are changing our business practices for the time being,” Olsen says in a press release.

Starting this week, OX will be offering its new menu items to-go, right from their restaurant doorstep. The new menu continues to showcase locally-sourced ingredients but has been adapted to offer a more take-out-friendly dining experience and price point.

“We want to be accessible to everyone who is taking responsible measures in social distancing,” says Olsen.

A statement on Daves’ Bakery’s Facebook account says, “You know and we know that Daves’ Bakery is a great gathering place for our community, but the temporarily change was being made to contribute to social distancing that has been called for by public health officials.

“We have a responsibility not only to serve guests, but also to protect them during this uncertain time. We will closely follow up with further instructions from public health officials to take any necessary extra steps.

“Thank you for your understanding and we are looking forward to seeing you in Daves’ Bakery.”

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