Hotels and restaurants are the most affected by the new restrictions implemented by the Government to stop the wave of infections due to the coronavirus.
The restriction of circulation by license plate number, the reduction of capacity to 30% and the imposition of a new curfew forces to modify, once again, the way of working in companies and businesses.
The Ecuadorian Hotel Federation (Ahotec) estimates that 40% of reservations for Christmas dinners and corporate events were canceled.
The president of this union, André Obiol, explained that the restriction on capacity is for communal areas, while the occupation of rooms continues to function normally.
Obiol commented that the sector made investments, months ago, to meet the demand for the festivities and that this money will never be recovered. Even for the Christmas season, contracts were made that would be canceled after knowing the measures imposed by the Government.
Francesca Ferrero, president of the Guayas Restaurant Association, expressed that a strong hit to income is projected this month.
She specified that 65% of business turnover, on average, depends on customers who arrive from 8:00 p.m., so they expect a sharp drop.
Meanwhile, the Chambers of Commerce of Quito and Guayaquil foresee that due to the restrictions it will stop selling USD 500 million and USD 900 million.
The businessmen pointed out that the informal trade and the crowding in buses, which generate a greater risk of contagion, are not solved with the restriction of plates.
Patricio Alarcón, president of the Quito Chamber of Commerce, asked the authorities to desist from the application of vehicle restriction and curfew and that it be maintained only on December 24 and 31.
Pablo Arosemena, from the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, proposed that businesses extend their hours and have even 24 hours of customer service.
In the industrial and export sector there is concern about the mobilization that could interrupt the logistics chain.
Pablo Zambrano, president of the Chamber of Industries and Production (CIP), expressed that he is confident that there will be no restrictions on the mobilization of the productive sector.
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