One thing is certain, though, it will not be May 15, when the beauty salons, museums and dental practices resume operations. In case of restaurants, cafés and bars, the date will be set depending on the trend of the number of new COVID-19 cases.
Keeping bars, restaurants and cafés closed beyond that day means a death sentence for many such businesses which will no longer reopen. The actors on this market estimate it might halve in 2020 due to the current pandemic and reach RON8 billion to RON9 billion. Some 30% to 40% of the businesses might disappear, taking 30,000 to 50,000 jobs with them.
The restaurant, café and bar market is one of the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a RON15 billion to RON17 billion industry, with 36,000 to 40,000 businesses that are now closed and waiting approval from the authorities to reopen.
What needs to be said though is that the industry will not look the same as it did before March 15 when reopening for customers. The space in restaurants, cafés and bars will be reconfigured to keep the recommended 1.5 to 2-meter distance between customers. The number of seats indoors or outdoors will be considerably lower. Revenue will be lower, too. The employees of the restaurants will have to wear masks and gloves at all times, which means additional costs to the business owners.
The prices in restaurants, cafés and bars could therefore increase to include the additional costs, so going out might become a luxury.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)