Rebelling Hungarian restaurants can expect stronger retribution

All restaurants and caterers will receive strict punishment from the government in the case of violating the restrictions still in effect by opening their establishments to “eat in”, apart from the “take out” service they are allowed to provide, announces the newest issue of Magyar Közlöny (Hungarian Gazette).

If an owner decides to open their business to “eat in” and the police find out, it will be shut down temporarily for 6 months. If they, despite this, open again, the restaurant will be out of business for an entire year. Moreover, in both cases, they will be banned from all catering activities, meaning that in the case they possess other businesses in the same sector, they cannot conduct any catering activity for 6 or 12 months.

If they go against the ban and do it anyway, they will face a fine ranging from one million (2,700 euros) to five million forints (13,800 euros).

These steps against restaurants and bars are not optional and to be decided on the spot but something the police are obligated to do.

Until now, fines varied from 100 thousand forints to up to a million forints, as well as a temporary shutdown from one day to a year.

During the state of emergency, the government has modified some governmental decrees on measures which aim to protect the economy, for instance, the extension of wage subsidies.

However, 90% of those working in the sector have yet to receive November’s cut from the financial support,

writes index.hu.

Meanwhile, more and more people have made it clear that they are not satisfied with the situation.

A mass re-opening is being organised for 1 February. So far, 133 restaurants, pubs, and bars have indicated their aim to open despite restrictions. They all take responsibility and are ready to face the consequences as this forced closure has pushed all of them to the edge of shutting down for good.

News has been circulating on social media that the popular Facebook profile of Tibi atya (A Hungarian “influencer priest” known for speaking his mind and expressing his opinions through memes), who is himself an entrepreneur in the sector, would also join the movement. On the other hand, he would only do so from spring, instead of February, but he says he understands all those who cannot wait any longer due to unpaid bills. He says PM Vikor Orbán should either let establishments open or pay for their damages.

Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, said on Thursday that he understands the situation of everyone working in the business, still, he asks for their patience. However, he promised that the lifting of restrictions will start with the hospitality sector. 

On Saturday, in the late hours, the government ended the state of emergency in place till February 8 with a decree, only to quickly reinstate it starting the same day with a separate decree. It will be in effect until 1 March, for now.

Read alsoOrbán cabinet: Restaurants to reopen only once mass vaccinations under way

Source: index.hu