Representatives of the HoReCa and entertainment business demand the Moldovan authorities to lift restrictions on their work, otherwise threatening protests.

Roman Zaitev, owner of the Draft restaurant chain said at a press conference that in the second year, as much as 50-80% of the industry employees left it because of the sanctions imposed in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Qualified cooks, bartenders and administrators leave the country because of inescapable situation. Moreover, they leave with their families. First, the authorities asked us to tighten our belts for a while. Then, they asked us to do it again. And now, we are fed up with tightening the belts”, the businessman said.

He is surprised by ill-conceived measures, and sometimes government’s inaction.

“Can you give a clear answer, why the virus persists in restaurants and terraces, but not in other places? We came to a conclusion that over these months of sanctions you don’t care about the industry and this part of small business. Our industry is on the verge of destruction by the authorities’ efforts. Listen to us and let us work”, he called on the executive power.

The restaurateurs said about their intention to organize a peaceful protest on Thursday, if the authorities don’t hear their call for dialog.