MHRA “awaits anxiously” the reopening of restaurants

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has welcomed today’s confirmation by the Minister Robert Abela that on the 1st of June, Malta will open up for tourism.

MHRA, said in a statement, that it is however, disappointed that there is no target date yet announced as to when restaurants will re-open and appealed to the Government to communicate an opening date before the 26th of April.

“Whilst data is what the country needs to be directed by, nevertheless a target date for the reopening of restaurants would have been highly encouraging and very important as the reopening of our operations need adequate time for preparation and pre-planning,” the MHRA said.

Speaking this morning regarding the gradual lifting of measures, the Prime Minister had said that €20 million had been set aside by the Government to help restaurants and bars.

MHRA went on to say that it “continues to support a prudent and gradual removal of the restrictive measures as this summer season is crucial for the survival of hotels, restaurants, and the tourism sector as a whole.”

The majority of MHRA members have suffered tremendous losses in the last 12 months due to the pandemic, and therefore the only way to survive such difficult situation is that the tourism sector reopens as soon as possible, it said.

MHRA said that it appreciates the efforts being done by the Government to vaccinate the public in the shortest time possible and also welcomed the announcement that vouchers will be soon issued to further support the economic recovery of those economic sectors which were badly hit by the pandemic.

The Association concluded by appealing to the general public “to be responsible and appreciate how critical is the reopening of the tourism sector for the summer season not only for employers and employees in this sector but for the whole Maltese economy as a whole.”