Public Catering Association Contends: San Docs Overstep Bounds with Extra Business Restrictions
Revised Article:
The Catering Association is hollering bloody hell about some health inspectors, supposedly found in various regions, overstepping their boundaries by slapping extra restrictions on small and medium-sized businesses running under the Ashyq system. The Association loudly shared their gripes through their press service.
They scream, "The bloody decrees of these regional health inspectors ain't shit! They don't have a goddamn decree from the country's top health inspector, Yerlan Kiyasov. So, catering joints should stick to Kiyasov's latest decree from June 3, which allows Ashyq-friendly establishments to rock and roll in the 'red' zone from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, with a maximum capacity of 50%."
But here's where it gets juicy: The Association also points fingers at President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On July 10, during an expanded powwow, the Prez ordered the adoption of "totally new, balls-to-the-wall strategies in the fight against COVID-19." The Prez highlighted that small and medium-sized businesses using Ashyq should get priority rights to operate during quarantine shitstorms.
The Association flung several rhetorical questions at the regulators:
- "Why the fuck can these regional health inspectors cancel Kiyasov's decisions?"
- "What's the point of shoving Ashyq down the throats of SMEs if they're pushed back to their old operating routines? These SMEs have spent a lot of time, effort, and cash putting Ashyq in place."
The Association demands that SMEs get a pass on rent, utilities, wages, and taxes, as the catering industry is struggling to stay afloat with restrictions in place. They're asking the state to foot the bill for wages, stressing that business owners can't afford to make all the payments with these restrictions in place. At the same time, the Association swears by vaccination. However, in case of a threat to life and limb, they demand the activation of an emergency mode.
"If state bodies can't help our asses in any way, just let us work, stay alive, and shoulder our own decisions," they cried out in the Association.
AdditionalRead:
- In Nur-Sultan, restaurants not participating in Ashyq project can only serve until 12:00 PM on weekdays
- Almaty tightens quarantine: Malls and restaurants close on weekends, with Ashyq participants operating until 8:00 PM on weekdays
Historically, due to a decline in the general health situation across the nation, regional health authorities have adjusted local regulations. Starting from July 26th, in Nur-Sultan, Shymkent, and Atyrau, public catering establishments not involved in the Ashyq project will shut down at noon, while Ashyq participants will roll until 5:00 PM. In Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and Karaganda regions, Ashyq participants are authorized to stay open until 8:00 PM, while others must close shop at 5:00 PM.
Insights:
- Under Kazakhstan's regulatory system, regional health inspectors have localized enforcement powers but must align their mandates with broader legislative targets.
- Regional authorities may adapt national policies to address immediate health concerns, leading to variance in enforcement across regions.
- Ashyq program participants could face operational hassles if regional inspectors enforce stricter-than-expected requirements, leading to increased compliance costs or regulatory uncertainty.
- Amidst the outcry from the Catering Association, concerns about local health inspectors imposing additional restrictions on Ashyq system businesses during weekdays have arisen.
- The Association has accused President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of policy inconsistency, as his orders for stricter coronavirus measures contradict the allowance for Ashyq-friendly establishments to operate.
- In a plea for relief, the Association has asked for regulations requiring rental, utility, wage, and tax payments to be suspended, given the struggle of the catering industry under tightened COVID-19 regulations.
- The Ashyq participants are subject to varying restrictions across different regions, with some allowing extended operating hours compared to non-participants, as per the adjustments made by regional health authorities in response to the coronavirus deterioration.
- The Association's demands include an emergency mode activation in life-threatening situations and calls for the government to provide support in the form of wage coverage, given the financial strain on businesses under these restrictions.
- The resolution of this issue lies within understanding the balance between regional health inspector powers, policy-and-legislation alignment, and localized health concerns in light of the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the general-news landscape and the business industry.
