The national federation of Luxembourg hoteliers, restaurateurs and café owners (Horesca) is calling for the immediate opening of terraces "to prepare for the opening on 15 March". However, the government has swiftly turned down their demands.
"Our establishments are not the cause of the problem," writes the Luxembourg's Horesca federation in a press release published on Friday morning.
Further reading: Ian Pocervina - Can we really separate food from culture?
The federation refers to the number of infections which has risen again to argue in favour of reopening terraces and then all restaurants, cafés, and bars by 15 March. The federation recalls that a strategy had already been drawn up after the first lockdown ("Safe to serve") to enable customers to "safely" visit restaurants or cafés.
Further reading: Stephen Lowe - The Hand That Feeds
In its press release, the Horesca "demands the immediate reopening of terraces", arguing that "it is better to have small tables on a terrace than massive crowds in the public space". The federation claims that its establishments can be a solution to this problem and also calls for the abolition of the ban on alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Government minister: restrictions cannot be eased due to high infections
The government has since responded and turned down demands to open terraces. Minister for medium enterprises, Lex Delles, said it was impossible to open restaurants and bars in light of rising infections. He did sympathise though with Horesca representatives who argued that people will meet up and break social distancing rules anyway during warmer weather.
Delles reiterated that the rules are clear and that even though some are breaking them this does not mean that restrictions will be eased. Rather, it is now more important than ever that people are abiding by the rules, according to Delles.
