Barbara Villar
07/02/2020 - 16:14
- Clarín.com
- Zonal
Almost like the arrival of an imposing tsunami on the shores of some nation, the arrival of the coronavirus in Argentina devastated everything in its path: in addition to taking more than 1,200 lives and causing numerous infections, it caused the destruction of thousands of businesses.
"We are completely sunk, it is the worst crisis," they say from the Buenos Aires Province Chamber of Discotheques and Bars (CEDIBBA) about the situation of bowling alleys in the GBA. One of the items hardest hit by the pandemic that increasingly see its emergence more impossible. It is that their doors have been locked for more than 110 days -even since before the mandatory quarantine- and they estimate that they will be the last to resume their activity.
In this context, Carlos López , President of the Chamber, reported that at least 18 danceable venues in the Conurbano could not afford their expenses and were forced to close.
Incomplete. On their return, dance venues will not be able to fill their capacity to avoid crowding. (Photo: Enigma Club)
One of them is “ Derby ”, the only one enabled in San Isidro that had been operating for almost five years in the vicinity of the Hippodrome. "Just this year the contract expired and as the pandemic was approaching in March, it was decided not to renew it to anticipate what was coming," sources close to the owners explain. In addition, in the same district they closed almost five bars and fear that the number will increase in the coming months.
The biggest problem that these places go through during the confinement are the high rates of the services that must continue to pay despite the suspension of the activity.
“On time electricity is very expensive. We are rate 3 and our amount is around $ 100,000 and $ 150,000. Without income it is impossible to pay and in most cases they are not making any exceptions. The only thing we ask is that until the quarantine ends, they lower us to rate 1 because otherwise we will not be able to survive this crisis, "says López.
Workers in the field are already clear about their situation: until they reach stage 5 and have more than 21 days without infection , they will not be able to return. And when they do, the new protocols will have changed the bowling life as it was known.
"It is not yet defined exactly how it will be but it is estimated that the premises will not be able to complete their capacity to avoid so much crowding, everyone will have to take the temperature and sanitize their hands before entering, the glasses will be disposable and each person who Entre will have to provide some personal information so that, in the event of a health problem, they can be contacted quickly, ”they explain.
In recent days, Vicente López's neighbors were alarmed when the rumor emerged that Garden Groove , the only danceable place in the commune, was close to closing. “At the moment we are holding on. Yes we have thought of turning it into a bar to be able to make delivery but they were too many expenses. Until the end of the year we are going to fight. If it gets complicated, we will have to see how we continue, ”they point out from the place, calming the waters momentarily.
In San Martín , one of the municipalities most famous for its bowling alleys, the situation seems to be holding up. “Everyone is making a great effort. But they are with the rope around their necks, they cannot continue paying taxes and expenses without income four months ago. We need them to think a little about the item, which was never given priority ”, they ask from CEDIBBA
