Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turnava held a meeting with restaurateurs yesterday.
The restaurant business demanded to shift the curfew, open the indoor space, and work on the weekends. But after a meeting with the minister, the head of the Restaurant Association said that such a decision was not made and business did not expect it.
However, the parties agreed that the restaurants will open indoor spaces gradually in line with the strict regulations, but the exact date has not been announced at the meeting.
Stricter regulations include imposing a certain limit on the number of guests at the restaurant in order to prevent increased mobility.
“We wish to open our facilities as soon as possible, although the date was not announced, our offers will be voiced at the very first meeting of the Coordinating Council”, said Shota Burjanadze.
According to him, earlier 6 people have been allowed at the table, but now their number is declined to 4. Burjanadze notes, that the maximum limit will be set and determined according to the square footage.
The head of the Restaurant Association declares, that the businesses want to open indoor space on February 22, though they actually believe the restaurants will be able to open from March 1.
Burjanadze noted that they also considered the issue of mandatory testing of restaurant employees on COVID-19. He explains that the businesses can take these expenditures, but added that the process of testing 250 thousand people will be more difficult for the state than for the private sector.
According to the head of the Labor Inspection Department, the additional restrictive measures for opening the restaurants will be continued this week. Beka Peradze notes, that tightening of restrictive measures is necessary because the restaurant is considered as a high-risk facility because a person cannot wear a face mask.
