WILLEMSTAD - “The hospitality sector is being hit hard with the introduction of the new measures,” says Egon Sybrandy, business director of the Curaçao Restaurant Association (CRA). According to him, there is unfair competition with hotel restaurants that are allowed to serve alcohol and remain open to tourists in the evenings.
"Why would tourists still come to our restaurants if they are allowed to drink alcohol at the resort and stay longer after the curfew?" According to Sybrandy, the measure is "very sour" because a distinction is made between different companies. “It feels unfair, why they should and not us? I think the government is really making a mistake there.”
According to the director, the restaurants have already been hit hard by the reversal of the curfew, by the truk'i pan's (local food trucks), which now have the same opening hours as restaurants but have much less fixed costs. Now restaurants also have to miss income, because alcohol is not allowed.
"Why distinguish?"
“That really hurts, but we will continue to talk to the government. The last thing we want to do is threaten or shout, but how is it possible that a distinction is made between the different companies and an exception is made for certain groups?” Sybrandy wonders.
Next phase measures
On Monday December 1, the government of Curaçao decided to introduce new measures in response to the increasing number of COVID positives. Curaçao has thus officially gone to the next phase. This phase means that no more alcohol may be served on the island from December 1 to December 21. Alcohol may still be sold in supermarkets, but this may only be consumed at home. House parties, on the other hand, are prohibited.
Casinos will also be closed, restaurants without an outdoor terrace will also be closed and bars, beach clubs, snèks and cafes will have to close at 5 am and they will only be allowed to deliver and offer take out services.
The curfew is still in place from 9:00 pm, with restaurants and truk'i pans closing at 8:00 am, until 4:30 am.
Minister of Economic Affairs, Steven Martina, was not available for a comment. It is not clear whether the government can or will offer crisis support to the catering industry.