Virus Forces Tim Hortons to Close Dining Room Seating in Canada

(Bloomberg) -- Canadians will have to get their double-doubles on the go as one of the nation’s most ubiquitous coffee chains shuts down seating areas amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Tim Hortons restaurants will close all dining room seating at most locations in Canada until further notice starting Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman from Restaurant Brands International. The chain is a gathering place for communities across the northern nation and he move is a response to calls by public health officials for social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.

The restaurants will focus on take out, drive-thru and delivery service, where available, according to the spokeswoman.

As of March 16, there were 324 cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to Health Canada, with the majority concentrated in Ontario. Quebec has ordered several categories of businesses shut down and is closing many public places to minimize the impact, while cities such as Calgary have declared a local emergency.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jen Skerritt in Winnipeg at jskerritt1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Derek Decloet at ddecloet@bloomberg.net, Stephen Wicary

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.