Malta’s Night Economy Remains in the Dark Upon Removal of the Restriction
Although Malta has recently lifted several COVID-19 restrictions, even with quarantine for primary contacts on disposal papers, nightclubs remain completely in the dark about their future.
Not only should they continue to restrict access to people with valid vaccine certificates but they are only allowed to host seated events and should close their doors at 1am.
Gianpula owner Matthew DeGiorgio has expressed disappointment that Health Minister Chris Fearne has not announced any plans for nightclubs in his latest announcement of a reduction in restrictions.
“Fearne did not mention when the permanent events could return,” he told Lovin Malta. “I don’t even exist for him, as if we were third-class citizens and as if we were not businesses that employ people.”
“Now that 75% of the adult population has been boosted, I was expecting to announce a date for when the standing events and standing weddings could return. However, they are talking about village festivities [that they could return this summer] because the election is approaching. “
DeGiorgio said the nightclubs deserve to know when the health authorities intend to let them start functioning normally so that they can plan for the coming months accordingly.
“The world is opening up and we don’t even have a plan yet … just give us a date and let’s work with it and plan accordingly.”
“Nightclubs are not a hobby but a business like any other, a full-time job that employs full-time employees. No business other than nightclubs had to completely change their business model … restaurants had to serve fewer tables but nightclubs were not allowed to keep people standing. ”
Philip Fenech, deputy chairman of the SME Chamber and responsible for tourism and hospitality, said that while the hospitality industry has reacted positively to the reduction of restrictions, the authorities should provide a clearer picture. clear on the future of the night economy.
“We have to remember that there is a large grouping of businesses, whose most productive trading hours are between 1am and 4am,” Fenech said. “The authorities consider this sector to be more annoying for COVID because its activity is more vibrant than that of restaurants, clubs and snack bars and bring people together more intimately. ”
“The government is always leaving this industry to the last but now that there is clear visibility into how the virus has been suppressed, the sector is waiting to have a projection so that they can start planning events. Industry is a high-cost business that can’t just light up overnight but needs time to plan events. ”
Fenech warned that the current 1am curfew means that establishment owners are being forced to pay their full-time staff for hours they are not working and are struggling to find part-timers willing to work for so long. a few hours.
“Owners of establishments need their staff but it is difficult for them to be forced to pay them the same salary for about half an hour, if not less, without revenue coming in to justify it.”
Fenech urged the authorities not to ignore the importance of the night economy, which includes nightclubs as well as late night food and transportation, for the national economy and the country’s tourism product.
“As it is, some people are not seeing it as useful to go out for a few hours and are organizing the festivities in their own home, which is another blow to the industry,” he said.
“Some of the best clubs in Paceville and other areas have updated themselves during their downtime from COVID-19 and we need to help the industry survive.”
Despite the uncertainty, Fenech appealed to the health authorities for the way they handled the vaccine certificate controversy.
“The government feared that Mater Dei would be flooded with COVID-19 patients due to the increase in cases a few weeks ago, and the restrictions must be seen in that context.”
“In an ideal situation, everything will return to where it was before the pandemic, but we all know where a free approach for all has come. [in summer 2020]. If we had gone that route, we would have ended up with full locks or full hospitals. ”
“They are in unknown territory and absolutism does not exist and cannot exist. Venting out is cheap and I believe we can find realistic solutions and point out the shortcomings so that they can be improved. We are at the shop level, following the situation day by day with our own eyes. ”
Do you think nightclubs should be allowed to operate normally?