It is a hard-won victory for catering professionals.
Even classified as a “maximum alert” zone, restaurants in Paris and its inner suburbs will be able to remain open.
And without time constraints, unlike their Marseille counterparts who are forced to close at 10 p.m.
"We are relieved, the government has adopted the strict protocol that we had proposed", welcomes Didier Chenet, the president of the national group of independent hotel and catering (GNI-HCR).
"We won the first half," confirms Roland Héguy, his counterpart from Umih, with the same enthusiasm.
The only differences between the two texts: the temperature measurement is not made compulsory at the entrance of the establishment and the maximum size of the tables is limited to six people whereas the professional organizations had initially pleaded for ten guests.
The hydroalcoholic gel must be present on each table, spaced from one another at least one meter apart, and the wearing of a mask is compulsory at all times, except during consumption.
VIDEO. Covid-19: in Paris, bars will close, not restaurants
"We are ready to make all these efforts to remain open," confides Jean Valfort, 34, at the head of the Parisian restaurants Astair, Canard & Champagne, Farago and Zola!
as well as from Bocca in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes).
We have already reduced our reception capacities by at least 40%.
Our turnover on September 30 in Paris is down 60 to 70% compared to September 2019. A new closure would have been too hard a blow.
"
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Jean Valfort has planned to reprogram his computer system to limit the tables and record the identities of customers, in accordance with the new protocol.
It will display the maximum gauge outside its establishments and will try to keep its figure afloat thanks to two services per evening: one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m.
Same relief on the part of Jérôme Baller, for 22 years at the head of the restaurant Pierrot, rue Etienne-Marcel (Paris IIe).
“Our tables are spaced out and we are already implementing most of these measures,” observes the restaurateur.
We were just getting up.
A second closure would have been a disaster.
"Already late by 200,000 euros on its annual turnover of 1.2 million euros, the restaurant owner has just requested a second loan guaranteed by the State (PGE).
Concern for bars, caterers and hotels
If the restaurant owners breathe a little, the bar owners are annoyed.
“We always demand that bars which are able to respect the same protocol as restaurants by serving their customers seated, with good social distancing and payment at the table, can remain open, pleads Roland Héguy from Umih.
There should be no difference between solid and liquid.
"
Same claim at the GNI-HCR, which is also worried about two other sectors: caterers and hotels.
"The cancellation of all major events by the prefect will bring caterers and hotels to their knees," protested Didier Chenet.
Half of the hotels in Paris are currently closed.
After these measures, they will probably be over 70% to close.
"
VIDEO. Closing of bars: "It's a hassle ... we don't know what will become of us"
