Covid-19 in Italy: Angry restaurateurs and hoteliers reopen despite restrictions
Demonstration of restaurateurs and hoteliers in Rome, in front of the Chamber of Deputies, to demand the reopening of establishments in Italy, April 6, 2021. AP - Andrew Medichini
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
In Italy, the movement of traders "Io Apro" ("I open") is gaining momentum.
After demonstrating Tuesday from Milan to Palermo, restaurateurs and bar owners, whose activities are suspended until at least April 30, will continue their mobilization.
From this Wednesday April 7, many of them reopen their establishment to encourage the government to grant them more substantial financial assistance and to ease the restrictions.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Rome,
Anne Le Nir
In the heart of Rome, in front of the Chamber of Deputies where a hundred demonstrators gathered demanding freedom and work, we felt an exasperation that could be the prelude to increasingly violent revolts against the political authorities.
Giancarlo is the owner of a hotel and a restaurant located near the Trevi Fountain.
Its establishments, whose clientele is made up of 93% of
foreign tourists
, have been closed for over a year: “
They give us crumbs!
I have a hotel for which I spend 500,000 euros per year and I have received 50,000 euros in aid.
I had planned to reopen in April.
Draghi and his friends
said 'no'!
The all-powerful of the world want to starve Italy in order to buy our companies at cut prices.
This virus is a comedy!
"
Elena, owner of a small organic restaurant, is one of the traders who, under the leadership of the “
Io Apro
” (“Me I open”) movement, will violate government bans from this Wednesday.
“
We got two helpers of 600 euros last year.
We haven't received anything since.
We will therefore reopen.
We have to get along, that's it
, ”she proclaims.
According to the estimates of associations in the sector, to date, 30% of Italian hoteliers and restaurateurs are at risk of bankruptcy.
► To read also: Covid-19: Italy adopts support measures to the tune of 32 billion euros
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Italy
Coronavirus
Economic crisis
Employment and Work
On the same subject
For the second time, Italy and the Vatican celebrate a confined Easter
Italian restaurateur mistakenly sanctioned by Trump administration