If the reopening of the bars is in itself good news, Quebec announced it in a way that arouses some anger among the owners.
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“The idea is that to learn at 2 p.m. that the bars will reopen at 4:30 p.m., it was impossible, yesterday, for most bars, to be ready,” maintains Pierre Thibault, president of the New Association. bars in Quebec.
Mr. Thibault also denounces the “somewhat strange management” of public health. In his opinion, the tenants had little leeway to renew the stocks, recall the employees and comply with the health standards imposed.
“There are people, perhaps, who had prepared the blow, because we knew it was coming, but, from the start, in the world of bars, we feel that it is very difficult, for the government to do some planning, ”says Mr. Thibault.
The sanitary measures which will have to be respected will be essentially the same as elsewhere. Pierre Thibault recognizes, however, that social separation is likely to be the greatest challenge.
Mr. Thibault is categorical: the establishments will not be profitable.
“It is not really profitable in terms of capacities, which are greatly reduced with two meters of distance. That means that we are driving at around 30% of maximum capacity, ”he says.
He was nevertheless pleased with the wage subsidy offered by Ottawa and hoped that economic measures would be announced by Quebec Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, to help establishments considered discos, which could not open.
“What we hope is that there is a little bit of indulgence from everyone, as much at the level of the police and the CNESST”, if only for two or three days, the time adapt to the new reality, asks Thibault.
