New measures for hotel and restaurant guests but also for those who work there. ©furkanfdemir – Pexels
From now on, the health pass is required for hotel and restaurant guests, but also for some of those who work there. This reassures some but complicates the daily life of others. Added to this is the end of “whatever it takes”, replaced by so-called “tailor-made” care. Is it getting tougher or not? Here are some answers.
There are different views. On the one hand, the Syndicat des Indépendants et des TPE (SDI) reports a drop in turnover of around 40% for 73% of restaurant owners since 9 August 2021, the date on which the extension of the health pass to bars and restaurants came into force. On the other hand, Bruno Le Maire assures that this measure “has had no impact on the economy, except in shopping centres”. At a press briefing on 30 August at Bercy, the Minister for the Economy, Finance and Recovery stated that “credit card spending in the week of 9 August rose by 5% in restaurants and by 8% the following week, compared to the same periods in 2019”. It is in this context that employees of establishments that receive the public, including hotels and restaurants, must now hold a health pass. This new provision reassures customers, but places further constraints on hotel and restaurant professionals. As for pupils or students in hospitality schools, if they want to visit the SPA of a Palace or the dining room of a Michelin-starred restaurant, they too must present a health pass. This may complicate certain educational outings at the start of the new school and university year.
From now on, masks are compulsory in establishments opened to the public ©Francesco Paggiaro – Pexels
Restaurants forced to control their customers © Mathias P.R. Reding – Pexels
The valves are gradually closing
“From the moment that the French economy is running at 99% of its capacity, we have to get out of the whatever it takes”, Bruno Le Maire also announced. As a result, from next October onwards, the solidarity fund will no longer exist, but will be replaced by a system for financing fixed costs. Namely: charges, salaries and rent. In other words, we are moving from a flat-rate solution to a case-by-case one, which the Minister calls ‘tailor-made’. The floodgates are gradually closing, while in a city like Paris, hotel and restaurant owners are still suffering from the absence of American and Asian customers. As for business tourism, it is also at half-mast in the age of teleworking.
The health pass that customers and employees must now hold © AFP /Dana Tentea /Hans Lucas
Always difficult to forecast…
Finally, if the coastal destinations have saved their summer, hoteliers and restaurant owners in seaside resorts are wondering about the back season: will they fill up or not? It is difficult to plan ahead. And all the more so as the end of free tests, scheduled for mid-October 2021, is likely to have consequences. To be convinced of this, you only need to see the queues in front of the tents and other marquees set up in certain ports or in the heart of towns, just before lunch or dinner… Bruno Le Maire has promised a new review in the first week of November, to adjust the provisions that need to be adjusted, or even to make new ones. The end of the tunnel is not yet in sight.
Article written by Anne Eveillard for Talent Developer