Restaurant owners in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean are angry. Public health has not demanded the closure of dining rooms in the red zone, it is rather a government decision.
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While there was a full house with posters of the Prime Minister and Dr. Horacio Arruda since the entry into force of the red zone at Temaki Sushi Bar, François Legault is now the only one to take place around the tables.
“It was a clown decision that was made, so this morning, I put a clown hat on Mr. Legault”, said Thursday the owner of Temaki Sushi Bar, Michaël Tremblay, who made a DIY hat. clown covering the poster by François Legault.
The owner of this restaurant did not digest to learn that public health never ordered the closing of the dining rooms, that it recommended instead to go there in family unit only.
- Listen to the interview with Vincent Marissal, Quebec Solidaire spokesperson for finance
“The restaurant industry had bowed to the measures; hand washing, plexiglass, masks, etc., public health had given the green light and there, the government, from the height of its magnificence, came to say no. It’s a nasty slap in the face, ”added the restaurateur.
The disappointment is also palpable among customers. A regular at the restaurant came by to tell the owner his way of thinking. “Michaël, you should reopen next Monday!”
Restaurant owners no longer know what to do with.
According to another restaurant owner, their fight was initially to prove to public health that they could meet the requirements.
“It’s discouraging because we tried to make ourselves understood with our words to public health, so knowing that we had our OK, it’s even more shocking,” said David Janelle, owner of The kitchen.
The Legault government maintains that financial assistance was provided to restaurateurs to compensate for their closure.
“We did not have money deposited directly into our accounts. No, they were loans! What do you want me to do with this, me, loans? We will have to reimburse them at some point! ” exclaimed the owner of the restaurant Les 400 coups, Linda Girard.
Restaurant owners must now take their troubles patiently and wait for the green light not from public health, but from the government, to open their doors.
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