Economic support measures, extended
The economic measures in place during the the state of emergency are also valid during the state of alert.
Daniela Budu, 15.05.2020, 13:45
The Bucharest Government decided on Thursday to extend some of the economic support measures during the state of alert and even after it. Thus, furlough payments will be extended for the sectors that remain closed down. Deputy Prime Minister Raluca Turcan announced that until the end of the school year, on June 12, parents who have to stay at home with their children will further benefit from paid leave and that natural persons and legal entities can further request the postponement of their interest rate payments until mid-June. More that 126 thousand people have so far benefitted this measure. Also, companies with more than 50 employees must set a personalized work schedule. Turcan also said that companies purchasing equipment for Covid 19 are exempted from the payment of the VAT until September 1st.
Another economic measure announced by the Government is the extension, until May 31st, of the deadline for the issuing of emergency situation certificates for the support of employers who partially or totally suspend their activity or have their revenues diminished. The Deputy PM also said that during the state of alert cutting off consumers from electricity, water, sewerage and sanitation services is forbidden.
In his turn, Economy Minister Virgil Popescu said that a government ordinance that gives the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority the possibility to regulate the price of electricity so as to diminish it from July 1st, would be adopted. Interior Minister, Marcel Vela, announced that a government ordinance would also be adopted for the recalculation of the salaries of policemen. There are 68 thousand policemen whom this ordinance does justice to, Minister Vela explained. (Translated by Elena Enache)
