From today, some cafe, pub and restaurant customers can once again feast indoors. Which customers are allowed to come inside but which must, as before, dine outside will be determined by the catering staff, who will be responsible for verifying the existence of a valid Covid-19 certificate. Caterers are protesting that they are being asked to play the role of controller and sort customers.
The Ministry of Economics (MoE) explains that indoor catering services will be available to people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19, have recovered from Covid-19 or have a certificate confirming that they have had a negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA test in the last 48 hours or have had a negative a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the last 6 hours, as well as accompanying children under 11 years of age (including).
At the same time, the MoE reminds that indoor catering services are still subject to strict epidemiological safety requirements, i.e., customers still have to wear face masks, except when they are sitting at a table. No more than four adults, excluding underage children (but not more than 10 persons in total), from no more than two households may sit at one table. There must be a distance of at least two meters between the tables. Cutlery, dishes and napkins must be handed out to each customer individually.
The catering service provider must designate a responsible person who organizes the implementation of the established epidemiological safety measures in the catering place. This person must be present at the place where the catering service is provided during its operation.
In order to prevent long-term gatherings of persons in public catering places, the limitation on working hours is still maintained - public catering places start receiving clients no earlier than 6:00 and closes no later than 24:00. After 24:00 catering places may serve meals for takeaway only.
The Latvian Restaurant Association (LRA), the Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Latvia (AHRL) and the Latvian Traders Association (LTA) categorically oppose the distortion of the business environment and discrimination against people. The hospitality industry calls on the government to follow the example of other European countries and return to the previously approved "traffic light" principle, allowing catering companies to freely receive guests indoors. Otherwise, the industry is calling for state aid to keep being provided to companies that are experiencing difficulties.
“Private companies have carried the Covid-19 crisis in Latvia on their shoulders, and entrepreneurs and employees will also pay off the public debt in the future. It is therefore absolutely unacceptable that politicians and officials do not keep their promises, do not follow their own decisions. Moreover, it is highly unethical and illegal to make entrepreneurs hostage to the government's inaction, to increase the rate of "bait" vaccination. In our opinion, it is not worthy of the 21st-century society and state!” emphasizes the LRA President Jānis Jenzis.
LRA, AHRL and LTA point out that the division into different safety levels initiated by the Ministry of Health and the related requirements for catering companies are not only illogical and unreasonable but in reality - also unenforceable. Not only do they continue to divide society, but also families, because Latvia is the only country in Europe that requires children from the age of 12 to present a Covid-19 certificate if they want to attend a cafe or event. It is important to emphasize that the decision on vaccination of adolescents was made only this month in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe.
"We support all solutions that will allow society to return to a normal life. Vaccination is very important in this regard, so we really appreciate everyone who has decided to do so. At the same time, we urge you not to put entrepreneurs in the role of controllers and make them divide customers into some groups. Especially if we see that Covid has been successfully restricted in neighboring countries, even in the absence of such a division,” says AHRL President Jānis Naglis.
LTA President Henriks Danusēvičs emphasizes that catering companies and hotels are currently being opened in the European Union. "In most cases, up to 70% capacity is allowed, excluding vaccinated people. Also in Latvia last year, caterers were able to receive guests in compliance with safety requirements. We believe that the time has come to give the industry a chance to come to life and give people the joy of enjoying a meal in a pleasant atmosphere and epidemiologically safe conditions,” says Henriks Danusēvičs.
Cafe "Kūriņš", located in Kauguri, does not intend to separate its customers into vaccinated and non-vaccinated. “We will work as before and serve our guests in our summer garden and terrace by the sea! Of course, you can also buy food to take away. We will serve food indoors only when everyone is allowed to do it!” says their post on Facebook.