The restaurateurs in the state of Salzburg were not really surprised by the lockdown for everyone, as a broadcast from the SN shows. The unanimous tenor: The lockdown is necessary and comes too late. The belief in the winter season is waning for many. You feel fear among restaurateurs when it comes to employees. The recent lockdown could induce many to switch to other industries.

“This is now the final coup de grace for us,” says Leonhard Löcker from Landgasthof Löckerwirt in St. Margarethen. The lockdown is just a problem. He also lacks employees. He believes that even more restaurant workers will turn their backs. 80 percent of the Christmas parties were canceled in the past week. Now the cancellations for the winter begin. “It’s New Year’s Eve in eight weeks. In the current situation, how can you think of a winter season?” In order to at least hold on to the permanent staff, Löcker is considering offering a pick-up service for the first time in this lockdown.

Martin Hauthaler from Laschenskyhof in Wals expected the lockdown. His company will cushion many business travelers who die at least during the week, says the restaurateur and hotel. He plane with the short-time work. For him, one thing is certain: “It has to be open again at Christmas, otherwise it will be a disaster for our colleagues in the Inner Mountains.”

At least one optimistic voice could be heard on Thursday afternoon. This came from Martin Kilga from the Paradoxon Salzburg. “I’m ready. We started a week ago looking at a possible lockdown soon”. Delivery service and pick-up service will be offered as in the last lockdown. He hopes for an opportunity to spoil his guests with culinary delights on New Year’s Eve. He has already sold tickets for that evening, based on concert tickets. “Reversing it would hurt us,” he notes.

Alexander Knoll from Gasthof Hinterbrühl is already writing the menu for the delivery service. “The numbers speak for themselves and 2G came too late,” says the restaurateur in Salzburg’s old town. He hopes to get through this period of standstill through further government funding and the short-time working model.

Sandra Wintersteller from s’Wintersteller in Salzburg-Liefering has a clear demand at the beginning of this lockdown. “Now we have to relieve the nurses and doctors, the rest of them are already recovering.” It will not open until January 2020 and is therefore particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Aid from the previous year is still a long way off. She too has little hope for the Christmas season. However, one thing has to be considered: “The gastronomy is the most controlled environment”.

Wintersteller believes that part of the population will move to the private premises. It remains economical. “Now the Christmas bonuses are due.” Going around with a bit of common sense would be desirable for HER.

Maria Weindl from the Fischtagging estate in Seekirchen calls on politicians to stick together. This against each other is counterproductive in a pandemic, says the landlady. “We can only make the best of the situation now”. If a short lockdown is enough, then one considers taking a company holiday at the estate in order to reduce operating costs. If it takes longer, you will boil it out. In any case, the 120 seats will remain empty in the next few weeks to compensate for that, the landlady calls for public aid.