Rix is worried that it will still be a while before the sector can reopen for business. Despite numerous suggestions that came up during the meeting, there were few solutions.
The state aid that is currently paid out to businesses is of course welcomed, but not a viable, long-term solution, the president explained, calling the system of partial unemployment a “catastrophe”. “In June we just received 50% of partial unemployment. Hotels have to pay half their personnel wages, but there are no guests. It’ll take years before the hospitality sector is back up on its feet again, but they keep telling us to keep our personnel employed”.
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“We’re seeing that youth are gathering on the Kinnekswiss, where there are no controls, while people at offices sit on staircases outside for lunch. I really believe we could be a part of the solution if we could open up little by little. It is self-evident that certain restrictions must remain in place”, says Rix.
“We don’t know where we’re going, where to start. We need 14 days advance notice. We also disagree with reopening now and then having to potentially close again next week.” Rix is aware that as long as neighbouring countries refrain from opening its hospitality sector, Luxembourg is unlikely to do so either.
