The possibility to operate bars from Sunday the first of August, under the same rules as restaurants under the Covid-19 pandemic, will have little impact on business, as of today, July 30, the president of the Southern and Algarve Discos Association. (ADSA).
Liberto Melleha told Lusa news agency that the possibility of extending the hours until 2:00 am “is a positive thing”, but stressed that the remaining rules announced now to allow opening, such as restrictions on capacity and occupancy of places, do not change. which was already practiced until now.
The ADSA chief noted that many pubs have already taken advantage of the catering capability to be able to operate and the only thing that is changing now – with the new rules on de-liquidation announced by the government on Thursday – is that this no longer needs to exist. Existing.
“Bars started serving as a snack bar, and they only had to eat. Now, the situation is the same, the only thing is that we no longer have to provide food,” said the businessman, who owns several nightlife venues, most of which are located in Albufeira.
The same source confirmed that the rules would remain the same regarding the need for bar customers to remain seated and to adhere to the limits on the number of people at each table.
“Furthermore, there are still restrictions on the tables, with the seats, they are all the same. Now, we no longer have an obligation, especially after 9 pm, when an alcoholic drink is served, which must be accompanied by food,” he said.
Asked about the potential impact of the measures on sector companies, Liberto Mealha replied: “Nothing.”
Bars can open from Sunday, August 1, but according to the rules applicable to restaurants in the scope of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government, which has decided to exclude clubs, has been allowed to open only in October.
On Thursday, after the government’s announcement, the ADSA chief considered the October opening to be “late” for the Algarve’s nightlife spaces, which had seen “another lost summer”.
Liberto Mealha welcomed, however, that bars and clubs in other areas of the country could resume activity on that occasion, albeit at a later date.
“Better to be late than never, but the fact is that, in fact, when the clubs are announced to open in October, for us, the Algarve, it has no effect, it’s another lost summer, because, being seasonal, the season in October is practically over and the decision Very harmful,” he said.
At the time, the same source considered that allowing it to open until 2:00 AM “was a wise decision”, because “a lot of tourists were already saying it was not worth coming to Portugal or the Algarve with schedules until 22:30”. Among them are visitors from the UK who “chose Spain” because of the schedule.
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