Owners of cafes and restaurants in Belgium have been adversely affected by tougher new restrictions on public life to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
SCHAERBEEK REGION IS AMONG THE PLACES WORST-AFFECTED BY NEW MEASURES
The country of over 11 million last Friday imposed new measures for education, sports, and cultural events as Prime Minister Alexander De Croo urged citizens to comply with hygiene and social distancing rules.
On Oct. 7, bars and cafes were ordered to close after a surge in infections.
The country’s Schaerbeek region, home to the capital’s largest Turkish community, is among the places worst-affected by the new measures.
Ahmet Unlu, working in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years, told Anadolu Agency that the situation has deteriorated over the past year.
“We used to work along with six to seven people here but only two people left. We have to close the restaurant at 10 p.m. When the cafes are closed, when there are no people outside, small businesses like us do not really have a chance to make money,” he said.
He added that the taxes are too high, and it is almost impossible to make savings.