It is possible that restaurants could re-open from February 1

The possibility of restaurants re-opening in Bulgaria from February 1 was discussed today, January 18, the Minister of Tourism Mariana Nikolova told BNT. She said that an option was discussed for restaurants that are not in hotels to work with 50% of their capacity and with reservations in advance. However, at the same time the industry threatened with a protest re-opening, following the example of Italy, if there is no clarity in the terms and measures.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Denitsa Sacheva, announced that the step-by-step re-opening of restaurants was the subject of the discussion - first in the winter resorts, and only after the middle of February it is probable that the restaurants in the big cities will be reopened for visits.

The restaurant owners reacted angrily. They said they were running out of patience. The association of restaurants stated that in case of refusal to relax the measures for the industry after February 1, it is possible to open the restaurants without permission, as a sign of protest. From the end of November, restaurants can only offer food for home deliveries or pick-up. The Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov commented that at the moment the industry is not a priority, but the most important are healthcare, education and sports.

The Minister of Tourism, Mariana Nikolova, announced that the restaurateurs and hoteliers are most affected by the pandemic. Therefore, the re-opening of the establishments from February 1 is being discussed, and certain requirements need to be met, such as using 50% of their capacity. "There are proposals for pre-bookings in the restaurants, but not all restaurants allow it, as well as the mandatory metre and a half distance between the tables and complete disinfection and cleaning of the tables," said Tourism Minister.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Denitsa Sacheva, announced that the government is discussing a "step-by-step re-opening" of restaurants in the resorts, but not the ones outside them yet. Only after mid-February is it likely to re-open restaurants in major cities. The Association of Restaurants has threatened that if the measures are not lifted after February 1, the restaurants will open without permission.

"We expect every day and nothing happens. Apparently the patience of some colleagues is running out," said Emil Kolarov of the Association of Restaurants. "We insist, firstly, that all compensations be paid to us by the end of the month, because since the last closure, for 3 months now, no one has received a penny - neither staff nor employers. And secondly, we want exact dates for re-opening, without discrimination and without division of night, day, resort towns," said Evgeni Zumpalov from the Association of Restaurants.

Health Minister Kostadin Angelov commented on restaurants' threats to open on February 1st. “A war is not won by threats. The government has priorities. Our priorities are education, healthcare, sports. Restaurateurs and hoteliers are certainly a very important industry, but they are not our priority at the moment," Angelov commented. Proposals for a possible gradual re-opening of the restaurants will be discussed with the National Operational Headquarters (the coronavirus task force). Tomorrow, the Minister of Tourism will meet with representatives of the branch association.