Another month of patience should be provided by those who wish to dine at a restaurant or enjoy their coffee at their favorite hangout. And these under certain conditions, as the measures announced by the government so far are restrictive in order not to lose all the struggle that we have all given so far to deal with the pandemic. coronavirus.
An experience definitely very different from the pre-coronavirus era, which will also mark the new reality to which we are all called to adapt after the lockdown.
The restaurants, therefore, are expected to open on June 1, and this only for those businesses that have tables outside. In the second stage, the operation of those who do not have outdoor spaces from July is examined.
The basic conditions for the operation of restaurants and cafes are the application of the minimum distance of two meters between the table seats and the mandatory use mask and gloves by all staff, as well as the use of antiseptic. Also, a maximum number of customers per square meter will be applied with one customer per 3 sq.m., while the groups at each table should not exceed the number of 4 people.
His opinion on the measures was expressed in newsbeast.gr by Mr. George Kavaklis, co-owner of bar Spoiled in Daphne and Barro Negro in Karytsi Square, who believes that "the most correct would be the number of people we can serve to be calculated from the squares of space (interior-exterior) and not from the distances between the tables thing which I find practically impossible to happen ".
Most, however, appear troubled businessmen of the area, who are already making a big drop in their turnovers, holding a waiting position for what is to be born, always in accordance with the additional announcements and clarifications of the government that are expected until June 1.
For his part, Mr. Nikos Hatziandreas, its owner all day The Bar Lab in Aretsou and the all day Marvel on the pedestrian street of Kalamaria in Thessaloniki, sees a very difficult next day for the industry. As he characteristically emphasizes, "the catering and entertainment industry has been hit hard in recent years, with the coronavirus pandemic being the icing on the cake. The operating costs of the companies are very high, while there is no real help from anywhere. How can we maintain a company with 20 employees with 50% of the tables, and in fact only those outside?
With the turnover significantly reduced and the cost of everyday life burdened with the extra meters that entrepreneurs should get such as buying masks for staff, antiseptics for themselves and customers in various places, additional methods of hygiene in the toilets, special cloths and detergents for cleaning the tables with each change of customer, etc. Mr. Hatziandreas points out that "the expenses are running, but there is no reason on the part of the municipality to reduce municipal fees or the non-payment of rent for outdoor seating for the three months we have been closed" while, he hopes, in a braver regulation regarding the payment of the reduced rent by extension of the measure until the end of the year.
Mr. Kavaklis sees the forecasts for the future of catering in general as ominous. According to the same "key for any business will prove to be the quick reflexes it will show in a market that will change for a long time completely the way it offers its service. Also the support measures and the understanding of the state towards an industry that has been set up and developed under very different conditions ".
Some of them, however, face even more significant problems, considering that they may not work at all. businesses as the restrictive measures imposed by the government leave them no choice. Mr. Tassos Helmis, owner of eatery & coffee Zaf and the Italian restaurant School Pizza Bar in Agia Irini Square in the heart of Athens, is one of them.
As he characteristically told us, "we who operate in the center have a large spatial restriction with the distance they have set as a minimum between the table seats. Based on the government's announcements so far, therefore, I am seriously considering the possibility of not reopening my businesses on June 1st. I already have a few tables outside and with the strict restrictions the maximum number corresponding to each of my businesses is four tables. With so few customers how will I be able to pay my staff, my rent, my electricity? The expenses do not come out, at least not for me. The situation may be more favorable for other companies such as those located right on Agia Irini Square, which have larger outdoor areas. "
Businessmen from a well-known fish restaurant in its center are considering the same scenario Thessaloniki, supporting the view that "the measures with the mandatory distance of two meters between the tables and one person per 3 sq.m. they are not viable for hundreds of businesses that do not have a large outdoor space. "
In fact, they point out another problem that will arise in the event that some companies decide not to operate: "From June 1, the state considers us open businesses, even those of us who will decide not to open. Which means that our obligations towards him will continue to run ".
Most of the professionals in the field are waiting for the future announcements focus, as there are many versions that need to be clarified to decide for themselves what to do.
"We are waiting for the decision of the mayor of Athens regarding the extra squares without additional charge that are under discussion to be given to the shops of the center", explains Mr. Helmis, adding that "in addition, we are waiting for the new announcements in the coming days the duration of measures for June as well, such as the payroll subsidy in order to be able to maintain the existing jobs ".
However, for his part, the representative of the Panhellenic Association of Shops - Consumers of Catering & Entertainment, George Zouridakis, had clarified a few days ago on newsbeast.gr that there will certainly be repercussions on staff of businesses.
More specifically, he had pointed out that "the new measures will clearly affect the business staff. There will be reductions, which foretells that many of our fellow citizens will be driven to unemployment. Even very small restaurants employ at least five people. In the big ones we can see around 15 to 20 people but this number is just the picture we have as in fact the people are three. There are employees we do not see, clean the shop or are in the kitchen. In these companies the blow will be even greater ".
Another problem that arises with the operation of businesses and restrictive measures is whether a portion of customers are willing to adapt and obey them. "The only thing for sure is that there will be many who will not be able to adapt to the restrictions. There will be tension with the customers, as happened with the issue of cigarettes ", points out Mr. Helmis, while Mr. Hatziandreas talks about a very difficult equation, considering paradoxical the fact that a family of five will be invited to dine at two different tables .
For his part, the representative of PASKEDI estimates that "the picture of the controls will be similar to the one we saw in the first period of implementation of the anti-smoking law. "Ladders will carry out continuous inspections in order to see if the businessmen and the consumers are disciplined in the suggestions of the State and in the instructions of the government".
Mr. Hatziandreas predicts a 180 degree turn in the way the Greeks have fun, as in the way the new reality has been formed, the fun as we knew it will no longer exist, at least for the first time. "We are entertainers, people come to our shops to have fun carefree and instead we are called to provide them with an awkward and sterile environment. In addition, with music not allowed outdoors, the role of the dj in one Cafe Bar", now it seems to be unnecessary, so it is reasonable to think why to go out, since what he used to enjoy, no longer exists as a reality."
Scenarios have also fallen on the table for a change in the way cocktails are served, such as being served in closed bottles for a greater sense of security on the part of customers. "We do this not only to make customers feel safe, but so that we can 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 they finally work, the menu will be adapted to the new data, with its proposals being much more specific and less, since they can only serve 5 people at a time outdoors.
Mr. Kavaklis referred to the changes it brings to the way of entertainment and more specifically to the night life, the new reality, emphasizing that "in any case the social contact and intercourse must remain not only for the existence of bars, but because it is a basic human need. Overcoming our initial fears (which are very logical to exist) we will be able to communicate and interact. We must avoid the increasing digitization of people's sociability and bars play a very important role in this part ".
What everyone hopes for is that the measures will be reviewed gradually and will be revised accordingly, which means that if the evolution of the virus goes well, there is a possibility that they will return to full function more immediately than they were waiting.