WILLEMSTAD - The Curaçao Restaurant Association (CRA) is against another dry law of the island. According to CRA, the crisis team of the government is considering once again impose a dry law, to combat the high number of infections.
According to the CRA, the dry law certainly contributed to reducing infections last time, but it also caused a lot of damage to the Curaçao economy, especially that of the catering industry.
"For restaurants, it has become apparent that being able to serve alcohol with dinner is a condition for guests to eat out. The drastic decline in the number of guests, as a result, is a reason to say: not anymore! restaurants get it, many will not make it and will have to close their doors," CRA indicated.
The CRA says it takes COVID-19 very seriously and also believes that measures should be taken, but believes that they should not have as far-reaching consequences as a dry law has.
The CRA understands a dry law on Election Day to avoid agglomeration, but it does not have to be longer than Election Day. In addition, all alcohol would have to be banned to prevent the same from happening as before, people then consumed alcohol in groups at home locations, according to the CRA.
"We will have to look for a solution that is better aimed at the sources of infection and counteracts the spread," said CRA.
In addition, the restaurant association is of the opinion that alcohol in restaurants is not the problem. Where the rules are applied, virtually no infections take place, according to CRA.
CRA recognizes that alcohol facilitates getting closer to other people, but sees it mainly in locations other than restaurants. "The focus should therefore be on measures that counteract these situations, and thus helping many hard-working restaurant owners in financial need."