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Elpida Pitaki
Those who wish to dine in a restaurant or enjoy their coffee in their favorite place should have another month of patience. And this under certain conditions, since the measures announced so far by the government are restrictive enough not to lose all the fight that we have all given up to now to face its pandemic. derision.
An experience that is definitely very different from the pre-colonial era, which will mark the new reality in which we are all called to adapt after closure.
Therefore, restaurants are expected to open June 1, and only for those companies that have tables outside. In the second stage, the operation of those who have had no outdoor spaces since July is examined.
The basic conditions for the operation of restaurants and cafeterias are the application of the minimum distance of two meters between the table seats and the obligatory use. mask and gloves by all staff, as well as the use of antiseptics. In addition, a maximum number of customers per square meter will apply with one customer per 3 square meters, while the companies at each table should not exceed the number of 4 people.
Mr. George Kavaklis, co-owner of Newsbeast.gr, expressed his opinion on the measures on newsbeast.gr Pub Spoiled in Daphne and Barro Negro in Karytsi Square, who believes that “the most correct thing would be the number of people we can serve to calculate from the square footage of the space (internal-external) and not the distance between the benches. which I consider practically impossible. “
Entrepreneurs concern and anticipation.
However, most are concerned businessmen The area, which is already experiencing a sharp drop in its billing, maintaining an attitude of waiting and seeing what is to come, always in line with the announcements and additional clarifications from the government that are expected for June 1.
For his part, Mr. Nikos Hatziandreas, its owner all day The Bar Lab in Aretsou and Marvel all day on the Kalamaria pedestrian street in Thessaloniki, sees a very difficult day for the industry. As it characteristically points out, “the restaurant and entertainment industry has been hit hard in recent years, with the coroner’s pandemic being the icing on the cake. The companies’ operating costs are very high, and there is no real help from anywhere. How can we maintain a business with 20 staff members with 50% of the tables, and only those who are outside?
With significantly reduced turnover and the cost of daily living loaded with the extra meter that entrepreneurs should take, such as buying masks for staff, antiseptics for themselves and clients in various places, additional hygiene methods in the toilets, special candles and detergents to clean the tables with each change of client, etc. Mr. Hadjiandreas points out that “the expenses are running, but there is no reason on the part of the municipality for the reduction of the municipal fees or the non-payment of the rent for the outdoor table seats during the three months that we were closed “, while, wait, more courageous regulation on the payment of reduced rent with extension of the measure until the end of the year.
Kavaklis believes that the outlook for the future of restoration in general is ominous. According to him, “the key to any business will be the quick reflexes that will show up in a market that will completely change the way it offers its service for a long time. Also the support measures and the understanding of the state towards a branch that has established and developed under very different conditions. “
Owners see the possibility of closed stores
Some of them, however, face even bigger problems as they may not work at all. business since the restrictive measures imposed by the government leave them no other choice. Mr. Tassos Helmis, restaurant and cafe owner Zaf and Italian restaurant School Pizza Bar in Agia Irini Square, in the heart of Athens, is one of them.
As he characteristically told us, “Those of us who are active in the center have a great spatial restriction with the distance they have established as a minimum between the seats of the table. Based on government announcements so far, I am seriously considering not reopening my operations on June 1. I already have some tables outside, and with strict restrictions, the maximum number that corresponds to each of my businesses is the four tables. With so few clients, how can I pay my staff, my rent, my electricity? It doesn’t cost much, at least not for me. For other companies, such as those located in Agia Irini square, which have larger outdoor areas, the situation may be more favorable. “
Entrepreneurs at a well-known fish restaurant downtown are considering the same scenario. Thessaloniki, supporting the opinion that “measures with the mandatory distance of two meters between tables and one person for every 3 square meters. are not feasible for hundreds of companies that do not have a large outdoor space.”
In fact, they themselves point out another problem that will arise in the event that some companies decide not to operate: “Since June 1, the state has considered us to be open companies, even those of us that decided not to open.” Which means it is about to be the most delusional time of the year as well.
Most professionals in the field are waiting for future announcements. focusSince there are many versions that need to be clarified so that they can decide for themselves what to do.
“We are awaiting the decision of the mayor of Athens regarding the additional square footage at no additional charge being discussed in downtown stores,” explains Helmis, adding that “we are also awaiting new announcements in the coming days.” the duration of the measures for June, as well as the subsidy of the salary to be able to keep the existing jobs “.
Job loss is possible
However, for his part, the representative of the Panhellenic Association of Stores-Consumers of Catering and Entertainment, George Zouridakis, had clarified a few days ago on newsbeast.gr that there will definitely be an impact on personal of companies.
More specifically, he noted that “the new measures will clearly affect company personnel. There will be reductions, which predicts that many of our fellow citizens will be driven to unemployment. Even in very small restaurants, at least five people work. In the big ones we can see around 15 to 20 people, but this number is just the picture we have, as there are actually three people. There are employees we don’t see, they clean the store or they are in the kitchen. In these companies, the blow will be even greater ” .
A problem that will require resolution and non-compliance by customers with the new rules.
Another problem that arises with the operation of businesses and restrictive measures is whether a part of the clients is willing to adapt and obey them. “The only certainty is that there will be many who will not be able to adapt to the restrictions.” There will be tension with customers, as happened with the issue of cigarettes, “says Helmis, while Hatziandreas talks about a very difficult equation, considering it paradoxical that a family of five is invited to dinner at two different tables.
For his part, the PASKEDI representative estimates that “the image of the controls will be similar to the one we saw during the first period of implementation of the anti-smoking law. Measures will be taken to ensure that both employers and consumers adhere to the guidelines state and government directives. “
Change of philosophy in the previous way of having fun
Mr. Hatziandreas predicts a 180 degree turn in the way the Greeks have fun, since with the way the new reality was formed, fun as we knew it will no longer exist, at least for the first time. “We are artists, people come to our stores to have fun without worries and instead we are asked to provide them with an uncomfortable and sterile environment.” Also, with music not allowed outside, the role of the DJ in one coffee bar, now it seems unnecessary, reason why one would think reasonably why to leave, since what used to enjoy no longer is a reality “.
Scenarios have also been put on the table to change the way cocktails are served, such as serving them in closed bottles for a greater sense of security for customers. “We are doing this not only to make customers feel safe, but also to be able to work with the new reality that will be formed,” explains Mr. Hatziandreas.
For their part, the owners of the fish restaurant in the center of Thessaloniki are almost determined that, in case the menu finally works, it adapts to the new data, and their proposals will be much more specific and less, since they will be able to serve only 5 people at a time outside.
Mr. Kavaklis referred to the changes in the form of entertainment and more specifically to the nightlife, emphasizing that “in any case, social contact and camaraderie must remain not only because of the existence of bars, but also because it is a Basic human need. By overcoming our initial fears (which make a lot of sense) we will be able to communicate and interact. We have to avoid increasingly digitizing people’s sociability, and bars play a huge role in this. “
What everyone hopes is that the measures will be reviewed gradually and, depending on opportunity and developments, will be reviewed, meaning that if the virus progresses well, there is a possibility that they will return to full operation more immediately than they were expecting.
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