For gastro chairman Peter Dobcak, the announcement of the new hard lockdown was not a big surprise. It is now a familiar scenario for the industry. The catering industry is once again facing uncertain weeks. An extension of the current lockdown beyond December 12 does not seem to be ruled out. The jam-packed warehouses are a big problem for the industry. Since the lockdown was announced by politicians at very short notice – 48 hours lead time – almost all traders were left with their goods.
Employees complain about disorientation and the inability to plan. These factors ultimately lead to enormous psychological stress on the employees, according to the gastro chairman. To make matters worse, the catering industry generates a third of its annual turnover in the months of November and December.
On the positive side, it should be noted that the subsidies and sales support for the industry were extended until the end of the year. Another help is the renewed option to switch to short-time work. Another fact that has a positive effect is the much higher professionalism in the delivery service of entrepreneurs. Gastronomy has learned from the mistakes of past lockdowns.
The gastro supervisor found clear words about the lack of willingness to vaccinate a good third of the employees. “If our grandparents and parents had shown so little solidarity after the world war, Austria would still be a developing country. If we as a population put rumors about science, we as a country are well on the way to the Middle Ages, ”says Dobcak. Half the world is vaccinated and there is no need to be afraid of the vaccination. Vaccination is the way out of the crisis, also for the catering industry.
Dobcak would like better information and education from the federal government. You can see the entire interview here.
