display
Berlin (dpa) - Following the extension and tightening of the partial lockdown in the Corona crisis decided by the federal and state governments, trade and industry are calling for rapid help and additional relief for companies.
It is now a matter of supplying companies with liquidity as quickly as possible in difficult times, demanded the industrial association BDI and the craft association ZDH.
The situation is becoming more threatening for many companies.
Sharp criticism of the rules adopted, which are intended to prevent overcrowded shops, especially during the Christmas season, comes from the retail association HDE.
In view of the continued high number of new coronavirus infections, the federal and state governments had agreed on further restrictions.
The partial lockdown, which has been in force since the beginning of November, is to be extended to at least December 20, so bars, restaurants, cultural and leisure facilities must remain closed.
At the same time, the “November aid” for companies and institutions affected by the partial lockdown is to be continued in December.
The federal government is planning aid of an estimated 17 billion euros.
display
Wholesalers and retailers remain open, but now also in front of shops and in parking lots with a mask requirement.
In shops with a sales area of up to 800 square meters, there should be no more than one person per 10 square meters of sales area.
In the case of shops that are larger, a maximum of one person per 20 square meters of sales area is allowed to use the additional space.
The trade association HDE finds this tiered concept nonsensical.
There is no objective reason to issue different rules for sales areas above and below 800 square meters, said CEO Stefan Genth.
Hygiene concepts have proven themselves in both small and larger rooms.
"The new regulation could also be counterproductive if queues form in front of the shops and in the city centers."
From the BDI's point of view, the resolutions of the federal and state governments will additionally impair economic activity and consumer sentiment for the rest of the year.
"This will initially affect the temporary economic recovery in the coming year," said association president Dieter Kempf.
"The air is getting thinner for more and more entrepreneurs in winter."
display
The craft association ZDH welcomed the fact that the federal and state governments have promised “December aid” for the period of the extended partial lockdown.
"However, action must be taken quickly after this announcement," demanded the President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), Hans Peter Wollseifer.
For many craft businesses that are directly or medium-term affected by the now extended closure rules, the situation is noticeably worsening: "They urgently need support to survive this period and to be able to maintain their operations."
It is also important to lay down the rules for the third phase of bridging aid, which is planned for January, said Wollseifer.
As a result of the extended partial lockdown, the financial situation will worsen in many companies.
Further liquidity assistance is imperative.
Corona tax relief such as simplified, interest-free deferrals, the waiver of late payment surcharges and the suspension of enforcement measures should therefore also apply in the coming year.
In addition, the possibilities for so-called loss carry-back should be substantially expanded for craft businesses.
The BDI made a similar statement.
More intensive use of the bridging aid and an immediate strengthening of tax loss offsetting are necessary in order to provide companies with liquidity as quickly as possible in difficult times.
Business associations have long been calling for the loss carry-back to be expanded.
Companies should be able to offset crisis-related losses against profits from previous years for tax purposes more than previously possible.
In the black-red coalition, however, an expansion is controversial.
display
It remains important to keep economic activity going as far as possible and to keep schools, kindergartens and daycare centers open, warned BDI President Kempf.
"The key must be to reduce the risk of yo-yo shutdowns for the economy and society."
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201126-99-467565 / 2