The government announced Monday, January 3 an increase in aid for companies affected by health restrictions, and particularly for the tourism sector, at a time when the Omicron variant is sweeping and threatening the French economy.
At the end of a meeting with representatives of employers and the sectors concerned, the Minister of the Economy notably indicated that the full support by the State of the partial activity would be extended for companies forced to ” interrupt their activity, for the duration of their closure. It will also be accessible to companies from 65% loss of turnover.
The threshold to benefit from the fixed cost compensation system will for its part be lowered to 50% loss of turnover, against 65% previously, and will also be extended to the entire tourism sector, added Bruno. The mayor. Repayments of less than 50,000 euros will also be accelerated.
Restrictions for at least three weeks
In November, the government had already reduced from 80 to 65%, as of 1er December, the loss of turnover required to benefit from a remainder at zero charge on the partial activity in the affected sectors. Before Christmas, Bercy had also announced that events, caterers, travel agencies and “indoor” leisure rooms, whose activity is suffering from the epidemic recovery, would be the subject of a “Specific support”, with coverage of their fixed costs if their loss of turnover exceeds 50%.
But these new statements come after another turn of the screw by the executive. On December 27, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced a series of measures to stem the acceleration of contaminations, particularly affecting places of leisure and restaurants.
Among these measures, which will apply for at least three weeks from this Monday, include the ban on drinking standing in bars and cafes, the ban on eating and drinking in public places such as public transport, including long distance, as well as in cinemas, theaters and sports facilities. Gatherings are also now limited to 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 outdoors.
In addition, the strengthening of teleworking in companies – with the imposition of a minimum of three days teleworked out of five per week if the position lends itself to it – affects restaurants and shops located in office districts. The cancellation of traditional greeting ceremonies leads to losses for some caterers and bakers.
The discotheques, which were to reopen at the beginning of January after a month of closure, will also remain closed at least until the end of January, had also added the Minister Delegate in charge of tourism and SMEs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, at the following the intervention of Mr Castex.