Up to 20% of restaurants in Kyiv may close this winter due to new rules requiring shelters for visitors and staff during yellow alerts. The requirements come into effect by December 4, putting many establishments at risk.
New Requirements for Restaurants
According to the new regulations, all restaurants and food service establishments must arrange shelters or safe spaces for their patrons. This means that by December 4, restaurants must comply with these requirements, or they will have to suspend their operations for the winter period.
Impact on Attendance
Under the new rules, attendance at restaurants in Kyiv has already decreased by an average of 25–30%. In contrast, Lviv is experiencing the opposite trend: attendance at establishments has increased by 20% due to an influx of people from Kyiv and Dnipro. This indicates that many residents of Kyiv are seeking safer leisure options in other cities.
Business Prospects
Many restaurants in Kyiv are already considering temporary closures if they cannot meet the new requirements. This could lead to mass closures of establishments, negatively impacting the restaurant business in the capital. Restaurant owners express concerns about potential financial losses and the need to quickly adapt to the new conditions.