Despite rainy weather at the start of the week, the Viennese restaurateurs are looking forward to finally being able to open their doors to guests again on Wednesday (see video above). The anticipation should also be great among the guests after the break of several months. “Many restaurants, where a reservation is also common, are practically fully reserved,” said the gastro-chairman of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce Peter Dobcak. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of challenges. The industry lost a lot of workers during the lockdown and many restaurants are now desperately looking for new employees, said Dobcak.
How many people come when it rains cats and dogs on Wednesday is of course open, according to the gastro supervisor. In bad weather, customers can be lost if all reservations have to be moved indoors, which are only sparsely filled due to the strict distance rules. In general, however, the Viennese restaurants are well prepared for the opening, according to Dobcak.
Not all establishments will open immediately and completely
Not all would open immediately and completely, however, some bars start with partial openings or wait at all to see how the situation develops. Above all, restaurants with a high proportion of tourists are more cautious, said the gastro supervisor. The majority of the bars will open again in some form on Wednesday.
Difficult travel conditions for foreign personnel
In addition to a labor shortage, there is another challenge: the difficult travel conditions for non-Austrian employees, for example from Slovakia or Hungary. It will be difficult for them to accept a job in Austria in the coming months.
Test obligations as further challenges
The requirements relating to tests for guests and staff could also become a test. Dobcak appealed to the guests to be prepared for the fact that entry tests are also controlled and not to start any “wretched discussions” about it. “When you visit a pub, be prepared to show proof,” said the chairman. You have to get used to a routine with around three tests per week, then you are free-tested throughout. “We’re all in the same boat, please let’s play together,” said Dobcak.
Vienna wants the same test rules for hosts and guests
Recently, there were also more stringent test obligations for employees in the catering industry. The federal government provides only one self-test (nose bur test) per week for waiters and co., But health councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ) expressed concern last Friday that this would not be enough. Dobcak could therefore imagine that an increased test frequency could come for Vienna. With the broad access to the “all-gargle tests” in Vienna, that would also be possible, said the gastro supervisor. It would be more effective, however, if the catering employees were vaccinated as quickly as possible, says Dobcak.