the grumbling of restaurateurs “We try to take the best measures, but we are no longer listened to”

“Let us work!” Is the message that catering professionals want to convey this Friday, October 2. In Dijon and other cities, they demonstrated against new restrictions imposed to limit the spread of covid-19.

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Black armbands, saucepan concerts. Restaurant owners, owners of bars and nightclubs fear for their survival. In Dijon, they fear a tightening of health measures in the fight against Covid-19. Too many constraints, not enough income, this Friday, shortly before their midday service, the restaurateurs launched a cry of alarm. They hope to be heard by the government.

This is the case of Gilbert Febvay, manager of a nightclub in Dijon for 25 years. Its economic situation is more and more complicated. It has already been forced to downsize. “We are trying to work with the government. We try to take the best measures. But we realize at a point that we are no longer listened to. They take us for donkeys. We made “We’re gonna die” signs. But if it continues like this, it is not far from true! ” he exclaims.

No bars or restaurants, but meetings in apartments

Despite the health protocol implemented in catering establishments, these professionals feel stigmatized. “We just want to work like other traders “ they write on a sign. Unable to meet in bars, they fear that young people will gather at home, without barrier gestures, and that the virus will spread even more.

Alexis, independent dj, is more and more worried. For him and for his profession. “I ended up with no help. Zero euros. It was complicated. But all of this killed our job.”

Professionals plan to demonstrate every Friday while waiting for the situation to evolve. The department of Côte d’Or could go into reinforced viglance soon. For this nightclub, that would mean closing at 10 p.m.

The prefecture, the ARS and the city of Dijon announced a press conference on Saturday October 3 at 11 a.m. New measures could be announced.

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CT with SL