Nearly 200 chefs in Spain’s capital, Madrid, including Michelin-starred chefs, have taken action to demand more comprehensive talks with the government on the situation of the food and drink sector, which has been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Michelin-starred chefs protesting in front of Spain’s Parliament included Ramon Freixa, Paco Roncero, Pepe Rodriguez, Diego Guerrero and Pepa Munoz.

“We demand reasonable economic measures so that we can continue our business,” said Juanjo Lopez, owner and chef of the restaurant La Tasquita de Enfrente, while the chefs said they expected to be ‘heard, respected and appreciated’, BBC English reported.

Expressing their knowledge of the industry’s challenges, Lopez said they should also be consulted on the ‘new normal’ that the government will determine in the sector.

After the reading of a manifesto, the chefs left their jackets on the floor in front of parliament as a sign of protest, and to highlight a sector that contributes 6.2% to national GDP and employs more than 1.7m people.