To slow down the meteoric progression of the Omicron variant, “Consumption in bars and cafes will no longer be able to be done only standing up, but only in a seated manner”, from January 3 and for ” three weeks “, announced the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, Monday, December 27.
“The economic sectors impacted by the decisions that the situation requires us to take will be compensated within the framework of consultations which will be, without delay, conducted by the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire”, added Jean M. Castex during a press conference in Matignon, which followed a health defense council and an exceptional council of ministers.
“My feeling is that the freedom to work normally is getting smaller and smaller. But if we want to remain open, we must follow the advice to the letter ”, reacts to the World Roland Héguy, President of the Union of Hospitality Trades and Industries (UMIH). “It’s a very severe turn of the screw. A disaster for bars and cafes. It’s a disguised closure ”, worries for his part Didier Chenet, president of the National Group of Independents (GNI), another professional union. The injunction made to companies to make teleworking compulsory, when this provision is possible, in any case to impose it three or four days a week, will also have repercussions on catering.
In a joint press release, the employers’ organizations in the hotel and catering industry (GNI, UMIH, GNC and SNRTC) regretted on Monday evening the introduction of measures which “Reduce the activity of our professionals who are in shambles and increasingly restrict their conditions for working and making a living from work”. They also recalled that the introduction of the vaccination pass from January 15 constituted “Yet another restriction by reducing [la] potential customers [du secteur] “, even if it allows establishments to remain open.
The cancellation of the vows ceremonies in January, “a coup de grace”
In this context, the professional unions are calling for new financial support. “We are asking for partial unemployment measures with 100% coverage. And, depending on the size of the companies, either access to an endowment paid by a solidarity fund, or aid on fixed costs “, says Chenet.
For the past fortnight, this safety net has resumed service for caterers, nightclubs and event players affected by the restrictions linked to the new pandemic wave. “Announcement of the cancellation of all greeting ceremonies in January is the coup de grace for caterers “, believes Mr. Chenet.
“Today, the support measures already in place are triggered when the drop in activity reaches 65%. We want them to be extended to all companies affected by the new measures and for this threshold to drop to 50%. It is also necessary that the repayments of loans guaranteed by the State [PGE] are shifted », Specifies Mr. Héguy. A meeting is scheduled in Bercy at the beginning of January to discuss these terms of financial support.