Metro Vancouver Restaurant Covid-19 Surcharge Fee | Transparency is Key

With many businesses reopening in recent weeks, there have been reports that some have started to implement a Covid-19 fee.

Businesses have been adding a small percentage surcharge to orders as a way to offset the cost of buying personal protective equipment for staff, increased sanitation of protocols, and capacity restrictions.

I had seen a few different people from other cities post their bill with a “surprise” Covid-19 fee.

Today, I found the first photographic evidence of a Covid-19 surcharge fee being implemented at a restaurant here in Metro Vancouver.

This photo was posted in a public Facebook group. The receipt was from a person who visited Pearl Castle Cafe in Richmond a few days ago. At the end of her meal, she was surprised to find a 5% fee attributed to Covid-19.

Transparency is key

I personally am OK with the Covid-19 surcharge but businesses should declare this before a customer makes an order.

It would be an unfortunate surprise for the customer to find out about the fee at the end of the meal. I think it would be unreasonable for the customer to expect such a fee because not all businesses implement it.

“Temporary Fee”

While some of us argue that businesses should just do broad price increase, some businesses see the fee as temporary.

I read an article where one business intends to reduce the fee and eventually eliminate it as restrictions lift.

It looks to be a relatively, small temporary fee to support restaurants to keep going amid rising costs and restrictions.

Is it legal?

An article in the US said that the practice is legal as long as the restaurant discloses it to customers beforehand.

How can you find out if a restaurant has a Covid-19 surcharge?

Restaurants elsewhere have been letting customers know through their social media pages. There might be some signage outside or inside the restaurant.

If you’re concerned about whether a restaurant has a Covid-19 surcharge, contact the restaurant (by phone, email or social media) or check their website and social media pages.

What do you think of restaurants charging a Covid-19 fee? Let me know in the comments below.

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