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The restaurants ask the government to “change its strategy” to end time restrictions, accounting for billing losses of more than 70% in the last quarter and asking for more support.
“Three months of continuous restrictive measures cause abrupt billing breaks, increasing 70% in income compared to the same period,” says the national restaurant association PRO.VAR, in a statement released this Friday, in which it establishes a causal relationship- effect between this drop in billing and “the increase in unemployment (50,000 unemployed), partial closures, bankruptcies and insolvencies in the sector (more than 10,000 establishments)”.
“PRO.VAR understands that the strategy adopted by the Government, in the reduction of hours and closure of catering establishments, has zero effects in the fight against Pandemic and serious economic consequences for the sector,” they defend in a statement, in which they warn of growing discontent. customers.
According to the association, “it is now the clients themselves who are protesting against the measures,” who express their “incomprehension” at the reduction in hours that promote gatherings and hurried meals on festive dates, like the end of the year.
“PRO.VAR wants the Government to change the restriction strategy in this new year and ask for more inspections and strong sanctions for those who do not comply with the safety regulations. Another wish is related to support, waiting for the Government to approve it, ”the association requests in a statement.
Among the support claimed is an APOIAR 2.0 program to cover part of the fixed costs for the last quarter, “which are estimated at 1,400 million euros, the result of 70% of an annual loss of two billion euros.”
Restaurants also request a 100% exemption from the Single Social Rate (TSU); greater support for rentals “in value and punctuality”; and the reduction of VAT on catering, “to allow a faster recovery.”
Portugal represents at least 6,972 deaths associated with covid-19 in 420,629 confirmed cases of infection, according to the latest bulletin from the Directorate General of Health (DGS).
The state of emergency decreed on November 9 to combat the pandemic was renewed until January 7, with mandatory curfews in the counties with the highest risk of contagion.
The Government decided to maintain the measures envisaged for Christmas, but aggravated those of the New Year period, with a curfew starting at 11 p.m. on December 31 and at 1 p.m. on December 1, 2 and 3 January. .
It is also prohibited to move between municipalities between 00:00 on December 31 and 05:00 on January 4.
The operation of restaurants throughout the continental territory is allowed until 10:30 p.m. on the last day of the year, and until 1:00 p.m. on January 01, 02 and 03.
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