Struggling sectorHoresca Federation calls for end to compulsory self-testing after 12 June
Despite relaxed restrictions for the hospitality sector, the Horesca Federation stated that its relaunch has been rather "weak" so far and presented further demands to the government.
The situation still leaves a lot to be desired for restaurant and bar owners: While their customers are slowly trickling back in, many are still hesitant because of the required tests.
On Tuesday, a number of representatives from the Horesca Federation met with Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Lex Delles at the Ministry of the Economy.
The representatives demanded that the government present a precise roadmap, detailing the upcoming steps towards a full reopening.
Overview of the Horesca’s demands
In detail, the Horesca Federation demands the following:
- Continuation of the state aids for the sector until at least 31 December 2021, as authorised by the European Commission;
- Lifting of the curfew and return to pre-pandemic opening hours, with the Horesca reiterating that their businesses are “part of the solution and not the source of the problem";
- The limitation of how many people can sit at one table should be equivalent to how many people can meet in a private home;
- A decrease of VAT to 3%, and this until the end of 2022;
- Spreading the social security debt settlement plan over a period of at least 48 months;
- A phasing out of compulsory rapid tests after 12 June 2021;
- Increasing the aid ceilings for companies, especially those with less than 10 employees, in line with the European framework for state aid;
- Increasing support per working employee in the stimulus package.
