Possible expansion of Covid certificate requirement

The situation in the hospitality industry is more tense than it was a year ago. Liquidity deteriorated considerably over the summer, and the reserves are depleted. At the same time, gastronomy companies expect high losses in sales if further restriction are imposed. The Hardship Compensation has relieved some of the strain on the industry for a short time, but not sustainably.

Only 70% of sales during the summer
GastroSuisse surveyed the business situation of 3,177 members at the end of August. More than a third of companies (36.4%) state that they are currently in financial difficulties as a result of the corona crisis. On the one hand, the existing requirements are placing a heavy burden on the hospitality industry, with 85.7% of the surveyed members replying that the regulatory requirements had a significant impact on their business result.

On the other hand, the revenue generated in the summer of 2021 remained significantly lower than that in the summer of 2020. In July and August, the survey participants generated about 70% of the sales they would normally expect before the corona crisis. Looking at the whole year, sales are just over half compared to normal operations before the Corona crisis.

In contrast to 2020, a similar decline in sales can now be observed in all built-up areas. The business situation overall is more tense than it was a year ago. "Liquidity has deteriorated again over the summer," says Casimir Platzer, President of GastroSuisse.

Certificate requirement: hospitality companies expect high sales losses
An extension of the certificate to the hospitality industry means a reduction in the guest potential by up to 45%. The majority of the members of GastroSuisse fear a loss of sales if the certificate requirement is extended to the catering industry.

56.7% of the companies surveyed fear that the introduction of a certificate requirement will lead to a loss of turnover of at least 30%, despite the lifting of existing capacity restrictions. "Almost a quarter of the companies expect at least a halving of sales," says Platzer.

97% of the companies therefore refrained from a voluntary implementation of the Covid certificate obligation.

Restrictions must be compensated
In view of the tense economic situation in the hospitality industry, new economic restrictions such as the certificate requirement will immediately affect liquidity and endanger the viability of the companies, according to GastroSuisse.

According to employment statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, around one in five jobs has been lost since the beginning of 2020, explains Platzer, and job cuts in the hospitality industry will continue. In order to prevent this, any restrictions would have to be financially compensated.