M.H, is a 37-year-old restaurant owner from Deir Al Balah. He spoke to Al Mezan about the financial losses he incurred during the lockdown:
“I opened the restaurant in 2014, it serves Shawarma and barbecue and it’s located in the Middle Gaza district. My restaurant has a great reputation and the demand is good especially because we are keen to apply the preventive measures. I have 12 workers in my restaurant who financially support a total number of dependents that surpasses 50 individuals, among them women and children.
On Monday 24 August 2020, the Ministry of Interior imposed a full lockdown on all districts after discovering coronavirus cases in Al Maghazi refugee camp. I was committed to the Ministry’s directive and I informed my workers that we’ll stop our work for the sake of our health and safety. The closure was sudden and the unexpected business interruption led to considerable financial losses. We also incurred additional financial losses due to the power crisis as the intermittent refrigeration spoiled meat stokes valued at thousands of Shekels, in addition to accrued expenses such as rent and utility bills. As the lockdown continued, and in order to avoid accumulating more debts, I had no choice but to lay-off my workers; twelve families have lost their income.
I also decided that my family and I will run the restaurant after lockdown measures are eased; I will not hire any workers because I’m planning to reduce my expenditures.
On Saturday, 5 September 2020, the Ministry of Interior eased the lockdown measures in Deir Al Balah and lifted the curfew from 7am until 8pm. However, restaurants are not likely to benefit from this move because our peak workload is at the evening hours and at night.
In light of the curfew hours set by the Ministry, we might opt for closing our restaurant till the restrictions on movement are lifted completely. Until then, I’m spending from my savings to pay off my financial obligations to suppliers. I don’t know what to do once I go through all the money I have saved—which is not a lot by the way. I’m in a bad mood all the time. I’m not only worried about my family and their needs, but I’m also worried about my former workers and their families who must have also been struggling financially”.