Some 83% of Ukrainian restaurants reopen after lockdown

Some 83% of restaurants have resumed work amid the easing of the coronavirus-related quarantine in Ukraine.

Restaurants' profit rose to 70% of pre-quarantine figures, according to OpenDataBot, a business data registration monitoring service.

Analysts took the last day before quarantine, i.e. March 12, as 100%, and a month later, as of April 12, a mere 32% of catering outlets were operating. Their turnover dropped to 22%.

Read alsoMost Ukrainian companies see drop in revenue over coronavirus – survey

As of May 12, some 44% of restaurants were operating in Ukraine, while their turnover rose to 32% of pre-quarantine figures.

During the three months of the quarantine, restaurants' profit plunged by 71.5%, it said.

"Restaurateurs should review the menu, perhaps the concept, prices, portions, and orient how to adapt to the new market. Those outlets that will survive are most likely to be able to reach the indicators of early 2019 no earlier than next year," said Rodion Yeroshek, Co-founder and CEO at Poster, a company that deals with cloud POS and inventory management software for restaurants, cafes, and bars.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 22, Ukraine switched to an adaptive quarantine model.

The government loosened nationwide restrictive measures, which will remain in place in the regions where the epidemic statistics prevent easing.

On May 11, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers allowed cafes and restaurants to work as open-air seating subject to 1.5 m social distancing rules.