Get an overview of pandemic related restrictions impacting Shopping Places in European markets
Last update: 11 June 2021
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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On 28 January 2021, the Commission announced to extend the Temporary Framework for State Aid until 31 December 2021. Given the persisting economic uncertainty, the Commission also decided to increase the aid ceilings.
This Temporary Framework provides for different types of state aid:
For companies especially hit by the coronavirus crisis (recording turnover losses of at least 30% during the eligible period compared to the same period of 2019), the State can contribute to the part of the fixed costs of companies that are not covered by their revenues, in an amount up to €10 million per company (previously €3 million).
More information here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_26
On 17 March, the European Commission revealed its plans for a COVID-19 certification scheme, proposing a ‘Digital Green Certificate’. In hopes to stimulate travel and return to free movement within the EU, the framework looks to include information on the vaccination status of an individual against COVID-19. As a next step, the proposal is now going to the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission aims for the Certificate to be in place by mid-June, in time for the European summer holiday season.
On 19 April, the European Commission adopted revised EU guidelines on regional State aid, setting out the rules under which Member States can grant State aid to companies to support the economic development of disadvantaged areas in the EU, while ensuring a level playing field between Member States. The revised Guidelines will enter into force on 1 January 2022.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Comprehensive help package for companies:
Last updated on 11/06/2021
General remarks
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
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The European Commission has approved a Bulgarian BGN 500 million (approx. €255 million) public guarantee scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary framework adopted by the Commission on 19 March 2020.
On 30 March 2021, the Commission approved the modification of a scheme providing wage support to employers and the self-employed in sectors most affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the scheme, first approved in July 2020 and previously extended in December 2020, was granted a second extension until end-2021, a budgetary increase from approximately €20.5 million to around €76.7 million, and amendments extending the scope of the eligible beneficiaries.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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On 11 January, the European Commission approved an approximately €202 million (HRK 1.525 billion) Croatian State aid scheme to support companies of all sizes active in the sports and tourism sectors (and in directly related ones, such as accommodations, restaurants) and , affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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A COVID – Rent program has been put in place and applies to all entities that have been banned from operating. Tenants whose shops have been closed will get 50% of Q3 rent as State Aid. Landlords need to sign an affidavit in which they confirm the existence of the lease during Q3, the amount of rent and that at least 50 % of the Q3 rent has been paid.
More details available here: https://www.mpo.cz/cz/rozcestnik/pro-media/tiskove-zpravy/opatreni-na-pomoc-podnikatelum-a-zivnostnikum–253690/
On the 24.02.2021, Commission approved the €115 million Czech rent compensation scheme to support retail businesses and service companies. The public support, which will take the form of direct grants, will cover 50% of the original rent due for the months of October, November and December 2020. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that companies are facing due to the measures introduced by the Czech government to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
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Businessmen who have had to close their premises since October as a result of the government decree will receive additional financial assistance from the state to the value of CZK 400 per employee. This was approved by the government on the 04.01.2021.
Support for closed premises will be provided in the form of a subsidy for operating costs, applied retrospectively to the period from 14.10.2020 to 10.01.2021, with the option that this final deadline may be extended if the epidemic situation continues to require the closure of these establishments; it will be paid out only for those days when business operations were directly restricted on the basis of the crisis measures, primarily through a ban on the presence of the public in premises, but also in other ways.
The first call of the subsidy programme named COVID – Gastro – Closed premises will have 2.5 billion crowns made available. Employees will include both those directly employed and any self-employed persons.
The Antivirus Program was introduced for the protection of employment. This program mainly consists of subsidies for wage payments, which are paid to the employees by the employers affected by COVID-19 and related government measures. The subsidies will be provided up to 100% of the wage compensation, up to the maximum amount of CZK 50,000 / month / employee, until the 29-02-2021.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Companies affected by restrictions in the period from November 1 to February 28, 2021 can apply for compensation. Here, the compensation period will depend on which restriction (s) the company is affected by. To seek compensation, the company must be able to document that one or more restrictions are the cause of a revenue loss.
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Companies across the country can seek compensation for the period from December 9, 2020 to January 17, 2021. Companies affected by restrictions in the period from November 1 to February 28, 2021 can apply for compensation. Here, the compensation period will depend on which restriction (s) the company is affected by. To seek compensation, the company must be able to document that one or more restrictions are the cause of a revenue loss.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
Non-essential shops: Open with restrictions.
Restaurants: Restaurants, bars and cafés are open for both indoor and outdoor services with a limit of 6 people per table.
Cultural institutions: Cultural establishments, cinemas, theatres and museums are open with a maximum of 800 people indoors and 5.000 people outdoors.
Shop owners & tenants
Announced on the 31.01.2021:
On 09.03.2021, the European Commission approved the €2 billion French scheme to further support all companies that will suffer a monthly turnover decline between January 2021 and November 2021 of at least 30% compared to the same period prior to the coronavirus outbreak. The aid will help the beneficiaries pay 70% (90% in case of micro and small companies) of their fixed costs that are not covered by revenues, up to a maximum of €10 million per undertaking. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the economic difficulties and the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to the restrictive measures that the French government had to impose by the French government to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
Services: Several personal care services, such as hairdressers, can open under strict conditions. For some services a negative test result for COVID-19 is required.
Non-essential shops: Retail stores, with the exception of grocery stores and shops to meet daily needs, are closed. Book shops, garden centres and flowers shops can open. In areas where the infection rate is between 50 and 100 infections per 100 000 inhabitants in seven days, more shops are allowed to open, although under strict conditions (reserved time slot).
Restaurants: Restaurants, bars and cafés re-opened in low-incidence areas. Restrictions may differ depending on states.
Cultural institutions: In areas where the infection rate is between 50 and 100 infections per 100 000 inhabitants in seven days, museums, galeries and zoos can open under strict conditions. If the infection rate drops below 50 infections per 100 000 inhabitants in seven days, museums, galeries, and zoos can open with less restrictions.
On 31 December 2020 new legislation on commercial rent entered into effect, which makes clear that shutdowns and other governmental restrictions constitute contract frustration. However, the legislation does not answer the question whether and for what amount and for the benefit of which party – landlord or tenant – the lease can be amended, which is likely to lead to further debates in front of courts.
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Between January and June 2021, the German government will deploy €130 billion under its “Überbrückungshilfe III” package to stabilise the economy. On 10 June 2021, the Federal government announced to extend the package until 30 September 2021:
More information available here: https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Web/EN/Issues/Priority-Issues/stimulus-package-for-everyone/stimulus-package-for-everyone.html#t-companies
German finance minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) has defended his €240 billion stimulus package as part of the budget consultations in the German parliament. The plan seeks to encourage economic recovery by supporting national businesses.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
Services: Different restrictions apply in “red” and “yellow” areas (find out more at covid19.gov.gr/covid-map)
Non-essential shops: Open. Different restrictions apply in “red” and “yellow” areas (find out more at covid19.gov.gr/covid-map)
Restaurants: Restaurants, bars and cafés are open (outdoor spaces only, and opening hours between 05:00 and 00:15). Up to 6 individuals are allowed per table.
Cultural institutions: Archaeological sites are open to visitors across the country. Up to three visitors can enter the sites in groups (this limit does not apply to families). Live events (theatre or dance performances, concerts, etc.) are held in open-air venues with seated guests only and at 50% capacity.
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Rental reduction: All leased premises are entitled to 40% discount on November’s.
All residential premises leased by employees whose business was forced to shut down are entitled to 40% rental discount for the month of November. The government will give directly to all employees of businesses that are forced to close, €800 net for the month of November. The businesses forced to be closed need to declare their employees and in return the government will cover their social security costs but they will not be able to let them go until 31 December 2020.
Restaurants
On 11 May, the European Commission approved a €500 million Greek support scheme to support food service companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme will provide support to food service companies, such as restaurants and mobile food service, event catering, beverage serving and other food service activities, affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme is co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and will be open to companies of all sizes that experienced a turnover decline of more than 30% over 2020, compared to 2019. The aid will take the form of direct grants, with each grant amounting to up to 7% of the beneficiary’s annual turnover. The scheme intends to provide beneficiaries with working capital for acquiring raw materials necessary for their activities.
Culture
On 17 May, the European Commission approved a €793 million Greek subsidised loan scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized companies affected by coronavirus outbreak. The public support will take the form of direct grants to cover part of the instalments of existing financial debt, with a capped monthly contribution depending on the credit status of the loan and of the beneficiary. The measure will be open to SMEs that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, active in all sectors of the economy, except for the financial sector, which comply with additional conditions such as turnover or income, value of immovable property owned, amount of deposits in Greece and amount of financial products subscribed. The aid will provide liquidity support to qualifying beneficiaries for eight months. The purpose of the measure is to safeguard businesses against the risk of default, allowing them to preserve their economic activity, helping them recover after the outbreak, and mitigating potential cliff effects from the end of the suspension of debt payments by banks in the context of the outbreak. For most of the loans, the suspension ended at the end of March 2021. In addition, the support under granted under this measure can be recovered if the beneficiary defaults on its obligations during a monitoring period of up to 18 months following the granting of the aid.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
Services: In yellow areas, the activity of beauticians and hairdressers is allowed, with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place. Gyms are also allowed to reopen. From 1 July, indoor swimming pools and spas will be allowed to reopen. In orange areas, the activity of beauticians and hairdressers is allowed, with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place. In red areas, the activity of beauticians and hairdressers is suspended.
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Stimulus package in place:
For 2021, Italy is currently considering a new stimulus package worth €24 billion.
On the 23.02.2021, Commission approved a €61.4 million Italian scheme to support private employers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The public support will take the form of an exemption from the payment of employers’ compulsory social security contributions (except for contributions to insurance for accidents at work), for a period of four weeks, until 31 January 2021. The scheme will be open to employers registered in Italy and active in all sectors, with the exclusion of the financial and agriculture sectors.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Governments partially covered tenant payments, sharing the burden between landlords, tenants and government, based on fixed allocation percentages. Currently only applicable for the first wave of lock-downs. Second wave of lcokdowns on-going.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
Specific rules apply inside restaurants, bars and cafés. For every customer over the age of 6 years, the consumption inside the restaurant, bar or café is subject to the presentation of either:
Takeaway, drive-through and home delivery are always possible.
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No legislation or regulation been passed to suspend payment obligations. The government prefers to provide financial help to debtors rather than imposing payment suspensions.
A bill of law tabled by several deputies aims to suspend the obligation to pay rent that is due or will become due under commercial or professional leases for the duration of the state of crisis. This bill of law aims to deprive the lessor of the right of termination with respect to non-payment of rent due or set to fall due during the period of the state of crisis, to establish the possibility for both parties to the lease contract to revise downwards the rent due during the state of crisis or the possibility for the lessor to waive the rent in question. To date, this bill of law is still under discussion by the Chamber of Deputies; however it is likely that it will not be adopted.
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
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On 30 April, the European Commission approved a €40 million Dutch scheme providing soft bridge loans with subsidised interest rates to start-ups affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The measure is open to small and medium-sized enterprises registered as start-ups in the first two quarters of 2020 and active in all sectors, except the financial, primary agricultural production, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors. It will be managed by Qredits, a non-profit microcredit provider, on behalf of the Dutch State. The scheme complements previous measures, by specifically addressing liquidity constraints of young start-ups affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with the aim to preserve the continuity of economic activities during and after the outbreak.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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The anti-crisis shield 4.0 was signed by the President on 23 June. The main purpose of the act is to protect Polish enterprises, jobs and consumers against the negative effects of COVID-19. The new act includes the following updates:
From Nov 6th, fiscal stimulus aimed at supporting covid-impacted businesses proposes to co-finance 70% of fixed costs not covered by revenue, and subsidies to leasing costs and business.
More information can be accessed here:
https://polen.um.dk/da/eksportraadet/coronavirus-and-the-economy/
Poland announced its Financial Shield 2.0 stimulus package in late 2020, estimated to be between 35 billion and 40 billion Polish Zloty (between 9 billion and 10.5 billion U.S. dollars), aimed to help 40 sectors particularly impacted by the second wave of the COVID-19. Businesses active in, among others, transport, retail, tourism and gastronomy, can apply for funds needed to pay employees and avoid bankruptcy.
On the 11/03/2021, European Commission approved a €1.1 billion Polish scheme to support companies in various sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme will apply to the whole territory of the Poland and consists of four measures. In particular:
– The second measure, with an estimated budget of €215 million (PLN 964 million), will be open to SMEs and large companies active in several sectors, such as retail sale, restaurants and entertainment. The aid will take the form of direct grants of up to €928 (PLN 4,160) per beneficiary that experienced a decrease in operating income of at least 40% compared to a reference period set out in the scheme.
– The third measure, with an estimated budget of €300 million (PLN 1.4 billion), will be open to micro and small entrepreneurs active in several sectors, such as retail sale, restaurants and entertainment. The aid will take the form of direct grants of up to €1,116 (PLN 5,000) per beneficiary;
– The fourth measure, with an estimated budget of €400 million (PLN 1.9 billion), will be open to SMEs and large companies active in several sectors, such as retail sale, restaurants and entertainment. The aid will take the form of exemptions from social security contributions between 1 December 2020 or 1 January 2021 and 31 January 2021 for beneficiaries that experienced a decrease in operating income of at least 40% compared to a reference period set out in the scheme.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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On the 31.03.21, Commission approved the €500 million Portuguese top-up insurance scheme to support domestic trade credit. Trade credit insurance protects companies supplying goods and services against the risk of non-payment by their clients. In Portugal, given the uncertainties caused by the prolonged economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, private insurers became more reluctant to offer sufficient insurance coverage to sellers. By supplementing the private insurance cover, the Portuguese scheme ensures that trade credit insurance continues to be available to all companies, avoiding the need for buyers of goods or services to pay in advance, therefore reducing their immediate liquidity needs.
On the 06.04.21, Commission approved the €35 million Portuguese scheme to support companies in Azores region. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will be open to companies of all sizes active in the Azores, at the condition that they have maintained jobs in the region and that they have paid back the loans they previously received under the schemes that the Commission approved in April 2020 and December 2020. More specifically, the aid will only be granted if the applicant can prove that it has maintained, each month until 30 June 2021, a certain proportion of the level of employment compared to the one recorded in September 2020. The maximum amount of the aid shall not exceed the lower of the following two limits: (i) €750,000 per individual company or €1 million per group of companies belonging to the same group; and (ii) the amount of the loans received from the existing credit lines.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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A state aid scheme aimed to support retailers was submitted to the European Commission for approval, proposing a grant for 50% of the rent due between mid-March and mid-June 2020 (the first wave lockdown)
Last updated on 11/06/2021
Following the recommendation of the Government of Serbia, the following additional measures are in effect:
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
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At local level in Catalonia :
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Actions at national level
Tax on Digital Services
The General State Budget project announces the “Selective control and investigation actions” in relation to electronic commerce
Actions at the local level (specific for Barcelona city)
“Amazon” rate in Barcelona (pending on processing and approval)
New amendments to financial support measures to address companies’ liquidity requirements were published on 13 May 2021:
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Business subsidy-schemes such as short-term layoffs and revenue support have been put in place.
Short-term layoff schemes will continue to at least June 2021.
Culture
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Turkey revealed on April 29 a new TL 5 billion ($604 million) support package to cushion the effects of its latest and strictest lockdown to date on the economy. It is primarily aimed at providing financial support to small and medium-scale enterprises whose businesses are severely harmed by the restrictions. Details of the package were announced by President Erdogan when he attended a factory opening in the capital Ankara. Erdogan said the country is launching the new support program through the Small and Medium Industry Development Organization (KOSGEB). “It is aimed at micro and small-scale enterprises that have lost income and needed to maintain employment with disrupted cash flow,” he said. As part of the support package, up to TL 30,000 will be allocated for micro-enterprises and up to TL 75,000 for small-scale businesses. Those that benefit from this support can use it for three years without any repayment or interest. The country has also extended a ban on layoffs until the end of June, the president reiterated, while also maintaining short-term work allowances.
Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Last updated on 11/06/2021
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Minor financial help for the entrepreneurs, which were mostly affected by the COVID-19 circumstances
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