Kosovo towards closure, alarm gastronomies: Without support, we respect the measures

For gastronomies, any closure without state support is unacceptable. The Kosovo Gastronom Association warns that because of the serious situation they are facing, they will be forced to open the premises even if they are set for any other closure. They even warn protests against any threat to the sector.

Veton Zuka of the Kosovo Gastronomous Association says that as a result of quarantine over the past weekend, the gastronomy sector has suffered 100 per cent losses.

He even says that if any other closures are made, it will be difficult to manage the situation because the owners of these businesses are revolting and will try to open cafes and restaurants as they are facing serious economic situations.

If we look at the circulation that happens on weekends, especially in Pristina, but other cities, (lost) is 100 percent because nothing worked, but what happened? The movement of citizens in Macedonia and Albania took place automatically, which we are talking about millions of money in other cities that actually Macedonia has more cases than we, Albania, than we do. It's meaningless, even from businesses, and we don't know why this is happening. It's closing your cities, and businesses and citizens are going to other countries. I don't think we're gonna keep them locked up if we don't have a state contribution, because it's a problem for us as an association to manage and stop businesses from being in bad shape. So their reaction is natural, or their opening in a rebellious manner”, he said.

Zuka says any other decision should be taken in co-ordination with gastronomics. While he says those from the government are seeking subvention of workers' salaries, subsidies to rents 40 per cent to 50 per cent, and helping around banking problems.

“Any closure also requires compensation, and any rule that has asked for compensation, nothing has happened, except that businesses in general and gastronomia have been damaged that it has been closed first and the non-stop has been persecuted and the first by decisions such as now, the quarantine of Pristina, total closure now in weeks or days. But it's always been asked if together the closure is in co-ordination with subsidies and the demands we haven't met, are in very bad shape and businesses are very frustrated, which as well as we as the association are having trouble managing because they have their demands that are very legitimate and right”, he stressed.

Zuka, who is also chairman of the Pristina Gastronom Association, says about 40 per cent of the workers in this sector are out of work as a result of measures taken by the government in order to prevent spread of pandemic.

“Based on the contact and communications we have with representatives we have a loss of workers or jobs 30 to 40 percent and this always pushing with breasts because they didn't want it to happen, but it's just happening. In addition, we have an enzyme drop in customers, especially in restaurants, because maybe it's also a drive or a fear of going out. The situation in general is very bad, it's hurting us even more with these decisions, plus they're making decisions that are not in question and in coherent with the state of business. It means I don't know how long this takes, but businesses, they won't last and it's been a problem managing. As soon as it started these last few days in a blaze of businesses, otherwise the losses have been 60-70 per cent selling businesses for a little bit of money has been pushed to the chest that at no time was the success of the normal” work industry, Zuka came in.

Viewing the revolting of gastronomial local owners, Zuka also warns protests as they disagree with measures that harm them.

We have pressure from businesses and gastronomations that if requirements are not met then we will have an implant in order to keep the protests. The manner of protests will be symbolic as always, not rebellious, but we have many options. As they work along borders and highways and go other countries, there may be a roadblock, for example, but there are other options like the last time with spoons and dishes, creative could be”, Zuka said.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 1,000 and 712 persons have been tested, of them positive with COVID-19 have resulted in 637 cases, and the struggle with pandemics has lost 13 people.