The stricter restrictions that were introduced at the turn of the month October – November have meant a sharp break for the entire hospitality industry.

- Today there were figures regarding the hotel industry.

In Norrköping, they have lost 60 percent from November last year to November this year and in Linköping, the loss is 71 percent, says Jonas Partheen.

"Eat hey for everyone"

For the restaurants, the figures are not broken down at the regional level, but that it is tough is a fact.

The number of layoffs in hotels and restaurants in Östergötland is over 1,600 (28% of those employed).

According to information Visita has from September.

- What we can see is that in the spring things went worse in the big cities.

Now it goes to he for everyone.

What needs to be done?

- In the emergency situation, the existing support needs to be paid out.

I have heard testimonies where companies have been waiting for months for money.

It is an extremely stressful situation regarding cash and cash equivalents.

"Indirect business ban"

The existing subsidies will also end at the turn of the year, but the restrictions will remain until the end of February.

- The subsidies must go hand in hand with the restrictions, otherwise there will be an indirect ban on business.

Jonas Partheen also believes that the Christmas tables are dead this year, at the same time as international tourism and business travelers are largely gone.

The union: "It's pitch black"

Nor does the Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union, HRF, have figures broken down at county level.

Across the country, however, 24,000 individuals have so far this year received money from the union's unemployment fund.

- The number of cases has increased by 256 percent this year.

And it will get worse.

We forecast a further decline linked to the restrictions.

It is pitch black, says Malin Ackholt, union president of HRF.