There has been frequent talk in recent weeks of the "light at the end of the tunnel" that could herald a post-lockdown outlook. But for many industries, this light is still a long way off - just like the long announced help, which is only sluggishly arriving. That's why the Gastronomy Initiative Frankfurt e.V. (IGF) has called on people to set an example before the upcoming Minister Presidents' Conference on Wednesday (3 March). Therefore, since the weekend, restaurants, bars and clubs in all Frankfurt districts have been shining in green light. More than 100 member businesses are taking part in the action, which aims to draw attention to the difficult situation.
"We have created safe places where people can meet under strict hygiene requirements and we now expect from the policy a comprehensible and transparent opening strategy that gives our industry and our many thousands of employees hope again," makes IGF board member Madjid Djamegari clear. The green light is to symbolize thereby the hope, which sets (not only) this fallow into the meeting and is at the same time an appeal to the policy to give an opening perspective to gastronomic enterprises. The action is supported by the DEHOGA Hesse and the Leaders Club.
Since the beginning of November 2020, restaurants are in lockdown, clubs already since mid-March 2020 - so almost a year! "It has been proven in many studies that restaurant visits are not drivers of the pandemic. The fact that this industry is being asked to make an ongoing special sacrifice is a scandal," says IGF board member Matthias Martinsohn, "we have to find ways to live with the virus and that can only mean vaccinating the vulnerable groups quickly and then using testing strategies to lead a halfway normal life." The cultural and events industry has also been promoting for over six months that people should be allowed to attend events if they can show a negative test certificate.
The fact that complete openings are not possible at this stage is probably clear to the entire industry. Nevertheless, there must be the much-vaunted light at the end of the tunnel for them too: "We know there's a long way to go," says IGF chief executive James Ardinast, "but we need to discuss openings now and adopt a binding and comprehensible roadmap to save businesses from an exodus." More months without revenue would not keep many of them afloat; fears of bankruptcy run high, he said. Opening outdoor patios could be a first step, he said, but there also needs to be a binding roadmap for how and when things will move forward for indoor spaces in restaurants, bars and clubs. "There is understandable resentment among colleagues," said Madjid Djamegari. "It's now a matter of bare survival in the industry, which has done so much so far and has gone to great lengths to comply with the regulations."
Continued slow disbursement of November and December aid
.A real nuisance is the Corona aid, which was first promised in full but then paid out only slowly. Many businesses rightly feel let down and, according to the IGF, have lost faith that the special sacrifice will be appreciated. "There are still sections of farms waiting for November aid. In the case of December aid, even the majority of farms have not received full payment as of early March," Djamegari said. IGF board member Goran Petreski added: "We no longer want to make ends meet with the help of financial aid. We want to work and give our employees a perspective again." Petreski mentions another aspect that can be observed in the restaurant industry due to a lack of alternatives and perspectives: "More and more people are turning their backs on the industry and retraining. Reversing that process will take years," Petreski is certain.
Prominent Support
The IGF is not the only association that is militant. Also the DEHOGA Hessen has joined thematically and advertises with the slogan "We can. We want. When will we get #greenlight?" for an opening perspective. The Leaders Club will have its members perform the "Jerusalema Challenge" at 11:55 a.m. on March 1 in central locations across Germany, promoting the IGF's "Green Light" campaign.
"We now need to develop binding opening strategies and models depending on what is happening with the infection and communicate them transparently," said Madjid Djamegari's appeal to the participants of the Prime Ministers' Conference. "After all, we will have to live with this virus for years or decades to come."
More info on the IGF can also be found at: www.initiative-gastronomie.de
