Operators in the city hope that the regulations will only endure for 3 weeks
The hospitality sector in Groningen is disappointed with the stricter measures against the Coronavirus announced on Monday. The economic consequences of having to close at 22:00 are likely to be significant, they say. However, there is understanding for the measures amongst the sector at large.
The new regulations specify that all restaurants, cafés, and bars must close their doors to new guests at 21:00, and shut completely at 22:00.
According to Irene van der Velde of the Groningen department of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), the drastic measures are understandable given the strong increase in the number of corona infections. “The figures don’t lie, but it is a new setback for the hospitality industry”, she says. As reported by RTV Noord.
Van der Velde’s own café, ‘t Vaatje on the Grote Markt, normally does not open until 22:00. “When it looked like we would have to close at midnight, we made plans to open a little earlier. But now that we have to close two hours earlier, it is impossible for night cafes like ours. Hopefully this will be short-lived”, she says.
Her peer Bas Berendsen, from Café Der Witz (also on the Grote Markt) agrees that it is a heavy blow for cafés that usually operate on a late night basis. “I understand that it is necessary, but it does have major consequences. And that while the hospitality industry adheres to all the rules”, he says.
Image via Flickr user Jim Forest. License here.
