Coronavirus: restaurants say outdoor dining a ‘mockery’ in this weather

The operation of outdoor seating areas is a “mockery” considering the bad weather conditions, hospitality venue owners said on Friday.

Restaurants, cafes, and pubs reopened mid-March following a three-month lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However only the outside seating areas are allowed to operate based on the health ministry’s decree. The island is also going through a cold spell.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, the head of the association of hospitality sector owners (Osika) Fytos Thrasyvoulou said about 10 per cent of the venues have opened nationwide to date as many of them are unable to reopen due to the adverse weather conditions.

Temperatures dropped to levels lower than the average for the season late in March, while isolated showers and thunderstorms were also recorded.

Osika expressed their disappointment over the announcement of further relaxation of the measures last week which did not include the indoor spaces in the hospitality sector, suggesting this did not correspond with the government’s statements of support towards businesses.

Thrasyvoulou said with bank installments and rent due, “businesses seem to have no choice but to [be led to] disaster.”

The association also warned they would take drastic measures against the government’s decision to keep indoor seating areas closed.

“In the coming days we will take drastic measures, mainly for the areas that are in purely tourist areas,” as there are no tourists so far, Thrasyvoulou added.

He added that the state should further support small businesses, a practise widely adopted in other countries.