The government is now turning its attention to the catering sector, following the implementation of the new measures against the spread of coronavirus, which have been in force since 13 September.
It is recalled that now, in most enclosed areas, only those with a certificate of vaccination or infection are allowed access, while in some cases, unvaccinated persons can enter only with a rapid test or PCR test.
The fears of the government
The burden of the new measures is expected to be borne by the entertainment and catering sectors, with the government fearing that many citizens will choose not to visit closed venues in protest at the separation of citizens into vaccinated and non-vaccinated.
This will lead to reduced profits for catering businesses, reduced customer base and financial difficulties in an industry that has seen its turnover tragically slashed in the past due to the months-long lockdown. It is considered highly likely that foodservice operators will turn to the government for help, but the country's fiscal situation at the moment leaves little room for optimism.
The second concern of the government has to do with possible social reactions at the entrances of food outlets, where owners and employees will be asked to check the vaccination or disease certificates of customers. However, considering that food service workers are not subject to mandatory vaccination, we can conclude that this could be a source of tension between them and customers.
To this end, the competent ministers have instructed the relevant audit bodies to start immediate checks in order to avoid reactions. In fact, information indicates that these instructions recommend the immediate imposition of a fine as soon as the slightest infringement is detected.
