The hospitality industry in Belgium is ready to open safely for business as of the 1st of April, announced the association for the hospitality industry in Flanders, Horeca Vlaanderen. The announcement has come in light of the upcoming meeting of the Consultative Committee to be held on Friday February 26th.
The proposal called ‘Safe Spring Plan’ ideally foresees cafés, bars and restaurants reopening in safe way and gradually from 1 April to 1 July. The plan follows the health and safety measures proposed by authorities.
Going to a bar or restaurant is above all a great mental boost for many Belgians. The hospitality industry provides a vaccine against the gloomy atmosphere falling over society.
Matthias De Caluwe, CEO of Horeca Vlaanderen
De Caluwe went on to add, in a playful manner, that their “47,000 vaccination centers are eager to reopen.”
According to the Brussels Times, De Caluwe said that sector is “not hoping for the impossible, but for the reasonable.” Some of the measures proposed by Horeca Flanders include the need to have waiters wear FFP2 face masks. This will be deemed necessary as they will be in constant contact with customers who have removed their masks to drink or eat.
Bars and restaurants are not the only ones eagerly awaiting for some ease in the confinement measures. The travel and tourism industry has also raised a flag with regards to the ban on non-essential travel, and is hoping to receive clear perspectives at the end of the Consultative Committee meeting.
De Caluwe noted that the ‘Safe Spring Plan’ could have a wider positive effect in society. The reopening of bars and restaurants, he said, could bring benefits to certain segments of society such as students who are eager and willing to get a student job.
Strict, uniform measures, but better this way than remaining closed
Matthias De Caluwe, CEO of Horeca Vlaanderen
Amid the effects of the confinement measures and its impact on the economy, the hospitality sector is asking for support. The industry’s loss of revenue in 2021, as reported by the Brussels Times, is reaching €2.2 billion.
