This is good news; the industry has been given a perspective," writes GastroSuisse President Casimir Platzer in a media release. Nevertheless, the question arises whether this applies to the entire industry. In various media reports, only restaurants were mentioned. In addition, contradictory information could be found on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), according to which bar businesses were explicitly excluded from the opening.
According to the latest information from the FOPH, in addition to restaurants, "bars and pubs" can also reopen as of 11 May 2020, provided the following conditions are met:
- the individual guest groups consist of a maximum of 4 people or families with children,
- Consumption takes place exclusively in a seated position,
- a protection concept is in place and can be adhered to.
Intensive work is currently being done on the protection concept. Casimir Platzer said this to Swiss television. The protection concept could be ready by the beginning of next week. It is already clear that there must be a maximum of four people per table (except for families) and at least two metres of space between the tables. Platzer also told SRF that "bar tables and counters (...) are not possible".
Presumably, most bar operators will only have certainty as to whether and, if so, under what circumstances they will be able to reopen their business once the industry protection concept is in place. A regular opening, as was the case before the Corona crisis, will probably only be possible with the availability of a vaccine.
