ROME - The long-awaited restart was among everyone's wishes, just take a look at the numbers.
According to a recent survey by Fipe, the Italian Federation of Public Exercises, the vast majority of bars (about 93%) have declared themselves ready to reopen immediately with all the necessary safeguards, having already sanitized the premises (94%) and to provide all safety devices, such as gloves and masks, to all employees. Unequivocal sign of the fact that everyone was biting the brake and waiting for nothing more than a return to normal. As well as all espresso lovers, who as soon as they were able, returned to savor a social ritual that for too long has been missing generating widespread nostalgia for those interrupted habits.
Therefore, the virus was unable to affect the relationship that Italians have with the bar even at a time when it was not possible to fully experience its characteristics of sociability and sharing. According to research commissioned by the IEI (Italian Espresso Institute) and conducted by YouGov, in fact, for the 25% of the sample interviewed, the bar remains an opportunity to spend time with friends and colleagues (before the crisis there were 33%) and for another 25% a moment of peace and relaxation (same percentage before the emergency). And customers would also be willing to pay a higher price for coffee at the bar: 72% say they are ready to do so in the presence of greater safety in the place of consumption.
In first place among the most appreciated devices is the continuous sanitation of the tables (42% of the sample interviewed) and the cleaning of dishes with special products (29%).
