Anhcea analyses how the re-opening plan will affect artisan ice cream parlours

The president of the National Association of Artisan Ice Cream Parlours (Anhcea), Marco Miquel, welcomes the four-phase re-opening plan announced by the Government in response to the COVID-19 crisis, although he believes that the reopening of ice cream parlours should have taken place earlier to avoid more serious consequences for the sector.

Phase 0 establishes that, as of 4 May, ice cream establishments can open for retail sales without the need for an appointment, but only for takeaway ice cream and respecting the two-metre safety distance between customers. In phase 1, which starts on 11 May, ice cream parlours may occupy 30% of the capacity of their terraces, but consumption within the premises will still not be allowed. "Beyond that, it is difficult to specify any other date in the economic reactivation of the sector because the re-opening will vary in each area depending on the health and epidemiological situation. We will continue for another month, fulfilling measures to adapt business to the new scenario, but this will be for retail sales. It will not be until the end of June that we will be able to operate at 50-60% of the service that we traditionally offered”, Marco Miquel explained to Arte Heladero magazine.