‘Most challenging New Year’s Eve’ as COVID-19 bites
The hospitality industry is bracing itself for what threatens to be the “most challenging New Year’s Eve”, according to restaurateurs who are struggling with staff shortages and constant cancellations because of the rapid spread of COVID-19. The health authorities again reported more than 1,300 new infections yesterday, meaning the number of people currently in quarantine has continued to climb in the tens of thousands. According to Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association head Tony Zahra, the situation in the hospitality industry deteriorated swiftly over the past few weeks. Although things seemed to be promising in early December, with bookings in restaurants and hotels reaching pre-pandemic days, things took a sudden turn for the worse as the new virus cases and the number of those in quarantine spiralled out of control. “We have noticed this in two areas: reservations for hotels from abroad have practically dried up and no new business is coming in. There is also a clear indication there will be little business from abroad during January and February. “When it comes to local business with restaurants and other establishments, until two weeks ago the situation was normal and...