The district chairwoman of the Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Monika Poschenrieder, is extremely concerned about the current restaurant closings. Rapid political action is now needed.
Many restaurants will not survive a longer closure: This is feared by Monika Poschenrieder, district chairwoman of the Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association. In order to prevent the worst, support from the politicians and solidarity of the guests is necessary, she explains in the courier interview about the precarious situation in the gastronomy in Corona times.
What is the situation in the catering trade?
The situation is bad. Most of the months are all about business maintenance. There are only a few periods in the year in which you can earn well. March and April would be such months. The weather is nice, Easter is coming. And now the restaurants are closed. This not only has an impact on the restaurants, but also on the suppliers and the florists. There is an awful lot going on when tourism stops.
Are you afraid that many restaurants will not survive the crisis?
Naturally. Especially if the closings are still going on. Social security contributions will be debited this week. On April 1, the lease fees, the credit obligations, are due. the electricity advance payments, the tax consultant wants a flat rate. Your own health insurance is due, as are the leasing amounts for the car. At the same time, wages are to be paid. Taxes can be taken for an hour, but this only shifts the mountain of debt from left to right. At some point it will break you up. Now the restaurateurs are really aware of what the local closure means.
How long can the catering industry endure this situation?
You can bridge that for a month or two. Then it looks bleak with no reserves. The first companies have already been hit.
"Many will not survive a longer closure"
What options do guests have to support the hosts?
Many restaurants offer takeaway or you can use the delivery service. That would be helpful. Locations that have always had a delivery service have the advantage. But there is also a learning effect with the others. A look at the website is worthwhile, most restaurateurs update it. However, some are somewhat unfavorable.
Are your employees afraid that they will become infected?
No. We no longer give hands, disinfect everything, wash our hands and clean like crazy. It's normal, but now we're going to do it again. Nobody is immune from infection. To be sure, you would have to sit in a glass bell.
What are your political expectations?
Politics must support us. The reduced VAT for the catering trade should finally come as a future perspective. It is precisely this twelve percent liquidity that companies are already lacking. The profit margin in our business is very, very thin. If you have no reserves, it looks very bad. Canceling and hours of contributions brings nothing. The church could also waive the church tax. That would also be a sign of solidarity. Everyone has to hand in something. You can't shift everything to medium-sized companies and employees. The banks too must now keep their feet still.
"The effects on all areas are brutal"
Does short-time allowance help?
Short-time work benefits will not go well for long with these rents. People cannot get by 60 percent of their net income for two years. The impact on all areas is brutal.
Do you understand that the protective measures are being carried out so radically?
I don't understand why older and vulnerable people are not better protected. For example, by maybe quartering them in vacant hotels for four weeks and taking care of them there. The older people would understand that much better. You can't lock up the younger ones for months. The parents are already going crazy. I don't know what comes out psychologically. I have a strange feeling.
Also read:
Corona crisis in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - live ticker
Corona: Tölzer health office opens drive-in test station
Budget of the city of Bad Tölz: great uncertainty about Corona
