ACE regrettably notes that one of its prominent restaurant members in Gozo, annual award winner Patrick’s of Xewkija, has permanently closed its doors during this pandemic which is seriously taking its toll on the whole catering establishment sector. ACE had foreseen and announced such risks after analysing its regular surveys, the most worrying of all whereby 26 percent stated that they will be closing down in the circumstances. A month has passed since such survey which calls for immediate action.

ACE calls on Government to support restaurateurs further at the earliest possible with a full wage supplement just like restaurants in Hotels and that government also include all staff registered irrespective on whether these were employed pre or post 9th March 2020 as long as the headcount remains at the same levels of 9 March 2020.

The longer it takes for Government to implement these measures the more closures with a rapid picking up momentum are we to expect.

ACE is also disappointed to note that to date the refunds of electricity and rents have not been issued albeit announced last June.

Cash injection being the blood of every business is crucial in this unprecedented moment for survival of business.