"Slow and gradual." This is how de-escalation is being in the Valencian hospitality industry. From Monday, bars and restaurants can open until 22pm. And therefore, you can go back to dining out, an activity that we have not been able to do for months.
The relaxation of the restrictions and the reduction of the accumulated incidence of covid-19 in the Valencian Community (one of the best regions in Europe), is giving a break to the hoteliers, a sector very drowned by the situation that has been asking for weeks to expand your schedule.
European schedule: dinner at 20pm
After a Monday of meteorological instability, this Tuesday the terraces of the towns of the Marina Alta have returned to breathe atmosphere. In tables of maximum 6 people, the dianenses, javienses, Calpinos ... have been able to go out to the typical 'have something' in the afternoon and have dinner.
Dinner, by the way, at an unusual time for Spaniards: at 20pm. And is that if you want to dine out you have to start early to make sure you are at home at 22pm.
What in the United Kingdom, Holland or Ireland is totally normal (it would even mean having a late dinner), for a Spaniard it is very difficult to understand but the desire to go out and socialize again (almost) as always, surpasses any ingrained custom.
Associations such as Aethma have launched the #AdelantaTuCena campaign to encourage citizens to have dinner at 20pm and thus support the sector without skipping any restrictions.
How has de-escalation been in the hospitality industry?
After two months of absolute closure (except for take away service), on March 1 the Generalitat announces that hoteliers can reopen the terraces. Of course, only until 18pm and with a capacity of 75%. An insufficient measure for many of the restaurants and bars in the region that, due to the changing weather that we live in these months - as soon as the sun rises as it starts to rain -, decided directly not to open.
On March 15, the Generalitat announces that life is returning to the interior of the bars. But yes, with only 30% capacity. It was then that many of the hoteliers in our region decided to raise the blind again, light the stove and get to work.
Now, the regional hotel industry has welcomed the new measure: open until curfew.
With caution, yes. And with fear that things will get worse again and force them to close. But following all the safety and hygiene regulations and maintaining the same enthusiasm and desire. This is how hoteliers and customers face the gradual return of the sector, which is not only the economic engine of the Valencian Community, but is also a symbol of union and socialization of citizens.
