Hoteliers appeal for extra help due to renewed closure
- The government has decided to close hotels, galleries, museums, cinemas, courts, swimming pools, and other public places in the Warmian-Masurian province from February 27
- The health minister explained that the decision is related to the large increase in COVID-19 cases.
- "14 days is far too short a time to unleash and bring the hotel machine to a halt again" - IGHP Secretary General comments.
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The Economic Chamber of Hotel Management of Poland (IGHP) is appealing for additional help for hoteliers in Warmia and Mazury, after the government decided to tighten restrictions until March 14, including closing hotels again, following an increase in the COVID-19 outbreak in the region.
According to the Economic Chamber of Hotel Management of Poland, hotels in Warmia and Mazury have found themselves in an extremely difficult situation as they will be closed again from February 27 after barely two weeks of operation.
Hoteliers appeal to the government
"14 days is definitely too short a time to unleash and stop the hotel machine again. Such an action additionally generates high costs for already extremely financially exhausted enterprises" - said Marcin Mączyński, secretary-general of the Economic Chamber of Polish Hotel Management.
"Therefore, we appeal to the government that in the current situation, hoteliers in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship should receive additional financial support from the state to compensate them for the financial losses related to the inability of the facilities to function," - he added.
Mączyński pointed out that currently many hoteliers' applications for aid under the sectoral shield, social security exemptions, or subsidies to salaries are rejected due to exceeding a low threshold of the permissible amount of state aid.
He reminded that the European Commission raised the amount twice already a few weeks ago, but the Polish government still has not introduced the new regulations.
"We would like to point out that the deadline for submitting applications for aid, which concerned December last year and January 2021, expires in a few days, i.e. on 28 February. The introduction of the new regulations must therefore take place immediately, and this is what we expect." - he stressed.
Hoteliers want to open hotel restaurants for guests
The Chamber also maintains its position on opening hotel restaurants exclusively to guests. "The use of restaurants in a sanitary regime at tables does not pose a greater threat than the provision of meals in the form of room service," - assessed Mączyński.
As he stressed that hotels are safe places and follow the sanitary regime, which has been confirmed by numerous sanitary inspections across the country. "We sympathize with our colleagues from Warmia and Mazury, who have to face the return of restrictions in their region and all the consequences that the government's decision brings". - he added.
Restrictions across the country extended. Warmińsko-Mazurskie is the exception.
From February 12 to 26, the government conditionally lifted some of the restrictions introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Hotels are open to all under the sanitation regime, but 50 percent of rooms are available, and meals are served only to rooms. Cinemas, theaters, opera houses, and philharmonics are open, and a maximum of 50 percent of seats may be occupied during cultural events. Ski slopes, swimming pools (except aquaparks), outdoor sports fields, and courts are open.
Gyms remain closed and restaurants are still only allowed to serve takeaway and delivery meals.
On Wednesday, the health minister announced that the existing security rules for culture, sports, and hotels will remain in place until March 14, with the exception of the Warmian-Masurian province.
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