IKEA reopens in Ottawa during COVID-19 pandemic

Two people walk in the deserted parking lot at IKEA in Ottawa, as it remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Sunday, April 5, 2020. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA — The IKEA store in Ottawa is open for the first time in more than two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IKEA Canada announced seven stores in Ontario and Quebec reopened on Tuesday, including stores in Ottawa and stores based in the Montreal area. IKEA closed all store locations on March 18 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement on its website, IKEA says working in line with recommendations from local governments and health authorities, it has implemented enhanced, preventative health and safety measures.

The IKEA Restaurant and children’s play area will remain closed at all stores.

IKEA says it has implemented new health and safety measures at stores, including:

On its website, IKEA asks customers to be mindful of physical distancing guidelines and limits to store capacity when they plan a visit, including planning specific purchases in advance, checking stock availability on IKEA.ca, considering a non-peak time or late date to shop if the need isn’t immediate and shopping in groups of two or less.