###

NEWS

Coronavirus update - new crisis measures


22/10/2020

Dear clients,

we bring you a summary of the new government crisis measures:

RESTRICTIONS OF FREE MOVEMENT

Crisis Measure No. 1078 (full text available here) - with effect from 22 October 2020, 6:00 am to 3 November 2020 23:59 pm Government:

prohibits the free movement of persons within the territory of the Czech Republic, with the exceptions of:

- the journeys to work; business performance / other similar activities;

- the journeys to family / close persons;

- the journeys strictly necessary to procure basic necessities (purchase of food, medicines, medical devices, hygiene goods, cosmetics, etc.);

- the journeys for the purpose of staying in nature or parks and staying there and trips to and staying in one's own recreational facilities;

- the journeys for the purpose of leaving the Czech Republic;

- participation in weddings and funerals of not more than 10 persons and visits to the cemetery;

- the journeys back to place of residence;

for other exceptions and their full text, then the full text of the measure - here;

orders:

- restrict movement in publicly accessible places to the time strictly necessary and reside in their place of residence (except in exceptional cases);

- limit contact with other persons to the minimum necessary;

- to stay in publicly accessible places for a maximum of 2 people, with the exception of household members; employees performing work for the same employer; persons jointly performing business / other similar activity; persons who carry out activities to which they are obliged by law; children, pupils and students in the provision of education in schools / school facilities;

- keep a distance of at least 2 meters when in contact with other persons, if possible;

restricts:

- the right to gather peacefully - only for 100 participants, in groups of 20 participants and keeping the spacing between groups at least 2 meters (each participant is required to have respiratory protective equipment - nose, mouth, which prevents the spread of droplets);

recommends:

- the employers:

  • make the greatest possible use of telework if employees can perform it at the place of residence;
  • promote leave and paid leave for employees and similar instruments provided for in the collective agreement;
  • limit the performance of work that is not significant for the maintenance of the employer's activities.

- keep a distance of at least two meters with other people in public areas (e.g. when shopping);

- for hygienic reasons, to use non-cash payments as a matter of priority.

RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND SERVICES

Crisis Measure No. 1079 (full text available here) - effective from 22 October 2020, 6:00 am to 3 November 2020 11:59 pm Government:

prohibits:

- retail sales and the provision of services in establishments, with the exception of:

  • food sales; fuel sales; fuel sales; sales of hygienic goods, cosmetics and other drugstore goods; pharmacies, dispensaries and medical devices; small pet stores; feed and other pet stores; eyewear stores, contact lenses and related goods; newspaper and magazine outlets; tobacco shops; laundries and dry cleaners; road vehicle service and repair facilities; towing and repairing facilities for vehicles in use on roads; spare parts stores for vehicles and production technologies; facilities allowing the collection of goods and consignments from a third party; gardening supplies stores incl. seeds and seedlings; ticket offices; flower shops; establishments for arranging the execution of constructions and their removal, project activity in construction, geological work, land surveying, testing, measurement and analysis in construction, sale of textile material and textile haberdashery, computer and telecommunication service establishments, audio and video receivers, consumer electronics, appliances and other products for households, real estate brokerage establishments and activities of accounting consultants, bookkeeping, tax records;

(for the full text of all exceptions, the full text of the measure here);

- presence of the public in catering establishments (exception - establishments not serving the public – e.g. employee catering);

- presence of the public in the establishments of accommodation establishments (exception - they provide meals for accommodated persons - from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm);

  • exception - sale outside the catering service (dispensing windows, take away) -however, prohibited from 20:00 to 6:00;

on-site sales of catering services located within shopping centers with a sales area exceeding 5,000 m;

- also prohibited are concerts, musical, theatrical, film and other artistic performances (including circuses and variety shows); joint singing of more than 5 people indoors; pilgrimages and similar traditional events; congresses and other educational events; trade fairs; operation of casinos; operation of indoor sports grounds; operation and use of artificial swimming pools; wellness incl. sauna; solariums; salt caves; visits and tours of zoos; visits and tours of museums, galleries, exhibition spaces, castles, chateaux and similar historical or cultural objects, observatories and planetariums; facilities for persons aged 6 to 18 (hobby, educational, recreational or educational activities);

- the provision of accommodation services is prohibited, with the exception of - business trips (other exceptions in the full text of the measures here);

- drinking alcoholic beverages in public places;

restricts:

- the operation of catering services which are not prohibited in such a way that:

  • by table spacings 1.5 m;
  • max. 4 customers at the table (except household members);
  • no more customers than seats may be present;
  • a ban on the production of live music and dance;
  • to turn off WI-FI

- establishments of music, dance, gaming and similar social clubs and discos in such a way as to prohibit the presence of the public;

- the activity of shopping centers with a sales area exceeding 5,000 m so that:

  • places to rest - cannot be gathered;
  • turn off WI-FI;
  • 1 person supervising compliance with the rules;
  • informing customers about measures and the obligation to keep 2 m intervals;
  • prevent crowding - toilets, escalators, underground garages, elevators, etc.

We also bring you below a list of programs and support implemented by the state for the current situation, which could be potentially interesting for you:

ANTIVIRUS

- extension of regime A until the end of the year;

- from 1 October 2020 (mode A) - entitlement to 100% compensation of paid wages + up to CZK 50,000 - in case of forced restriction (closure) of operation / in case of employee quarantine still 80%;

- adjustments to Regimes B and C will still be decided by the government;

- employers will now receive the full amount of wage compensation paid from the state;

- no official manual for Mode A changes has been developed so far.

COMPENSATION BONUS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

- the government approved a bill on the basis of which entrepreneurs and partners of small s.r.o. received CZK 500 / day with the predominant business activity in closed areas of the economy;

- the proposal will be discussed in the accelerated legislative process in the Chamber of Deputies.

NURSING FOR SELF-EMPLOYED

- the government approved nursing allowance in the amount of CZK 400 / day in the case of caring for a child under 10 years of age or a disabled person.

SUSPENSION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF EET

- all 4 phases (thus also currently ongoing) were suspended / postponed until 1 January 2023.

COVID III

- extension until mid-2021;

- newly also for investments.

TAX WAIVER

- according to the government's decision, the tax, tax accessories and tax advances should be waived for entities affected by Government Resolution No. 1021 of 12 October 2020 (available here).

COVID RENT

- the continuation of the COVID rent program is extended and a second challenge has been published;

- within the COVID RENT program, it is possible to apply for 50% of the rent for the period July, August and September for entities affected by crisis measures (e.g. establishments, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, congresses, etc.).

COVID SPORT

- a program to support businesses in the field of sport affected by the worldwide spread of COVID-19.

COVID CULTURE

- the continuation of the COVID culture program is extended and a second challenge has been published.

COVID BUS

- to support entrepreneurs in irregular bus transport.

If you want us to help with the implementation of any of the programs / supports, we will be happy to help you.

Should you have any queries about the above-mentioned, we, of course, remain available for you.