RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to an estimate by the Rio Bar and Restaurant Union (SINDRIO), approximately 1,000 establishments have shut their doors permanently in the city since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The figure represents ten percent of the sector in the Rio de Janeiro State capital and a loss of at least 20,000 direct jobs.
Not even major culinary figures have escaped the crisis. Chef Henrique Fogaça closed his restaurant ‘Sal Gastronomia’ in Vilage Mall, Barra da Tijuca, and dismissed 200 employees.
The President of SINDRIO, Fernando Blower, owner of MezaBar, in Humaitá, criticized the municipal protocol for bars and restaurants, scheduled to reopen on July 2nd but with an obligation to allocate 4m² of space per customer or a 2m distance between them. According to him, the rules make it unfeasible for small venues to operate.
“We will fight so that the bars, restaurants, snack bars and food services in Rio de Janeiro have fairer conditions to perform their activities,” declared Blower.
Below are some of the businesses closing down in Rio:
Aconchego Carioca – Leblon
Fellini – Leblon
Espírito Santa – Santa Teresa
Maloca Carioca – Santa Teresa
Ráscal – Botafogo and Barra da Tijuca
Pizzaria Braz – Barra da Tijuca
Puro Restaurant – Botanical Garden
Restaurante Avenca – Botanical Garden
Mosteiro – Center
Kalango – Bandeira Square