TOP-11 proposals to support business in case of a hard lockdown

09/ 12/ 2020

Today, the Government is likely to make a decision on the introduction of a lockdown or other tougher restrictive measures to prevent the further rapid spread of COVID-19 in Ukraine. The business cautiously anticipates the final decision. After all, on the one hand, we understand and support the efforts of public authorities to combat the coronavirus. At the same time, the business community has concerns that the new quarantine restrictions may at times be even tougher than those that were introduced this spring. There is also a risk that companies may face new abuses by inspection bodies given the absence of clearly defined rules. In this context, the European Business Association has prepared the TOP-11 priorities for government officials to pay attention to so that the work of business and the economy does not stop in general during the lockdown. These include the following: 1. All rules should be defined as clearly as possible to avoid ambiguous interpretations and possible abuses by inspection bodies. 2. In case of the closure of all non-food stores, it is necessary to provide them the possibility to hand out goods purchased online to the consumers in specially designated places. 3. The list of essential goods the sale of which is allowed during the lockdown period (for example, feed, honey, etc.) should include the means of communications as similar to the norm in force during the severe quarantine restrictions this spring. 4. Not to impose restrictions on the transportation of employees by official transport as similar to regular public transportation. 5. When setting requirements for the operation of critical infrastructure facilities, it is necessary to consider providing related services and the operation of other supporting facilities (warehouses, cleaning services, security, etc.). 6. Allow portable food establishments to operate in the “take away” regime. 7. In case of the restricted state border crossing, it is necessary not to apply such restrictions to drivers and crew members of trucks, crew members of aircraft and ships, river vessels, members of train and locomotive crews. In addition, provide for the possibility of entry/exit of foreigners to Ukraine for the purpose of treatment and/or adoption of children. 8. Consider the possibility to allow the operation of large exhibition centers as a measure to support them, as they have a significant land tax burden, and are severely limited in their activities during the long-term quarantine period. Besides, consider supporting large businesses affected by quarantine restrictions at this difficult time by tax holidays, reduced payroll burden, and so on. 9. Business entities should be brought to responsibility only in cases where they have the opportunity to directly influence a particular person (who does not comply with or violates quarantine restrictions) or provide the right of business to deny the consumer service in the absence of properly worn means of personal protection. 10. Consider the need for employees of banking institutions to request customers to temporarily remove personal protective equipment for the purpose of identification. 11. Not to restrict the businesses engaged in selling, renting, leasing vehicles, and repair of technically complex household goods. We hope that those business proposals will be taken into account to ensure that Ukraine’s economy can go through this difficult time.

Today, the Government is likely to make a decision on the introduction of a lockdown or other tougher restrictive measures to prevent the further rapid spread of COVID-19 in Ukraine.

The business cautiously anticipates the final decision. After all, on the one hand, we understand and support the efforts of public authorities to combat the coronavirus. At the same time, the business community has concerns that the new quarantine restrictions may at times be even tougher than those that were introduced this spring. There is also a risk that companies may face new abuses by inspection bodies given the absence of clearly defined rules.

In this context, the European Business Association has prepared the TOP-11 priorities for government officials to pay attention to so that the work of business and the economy does not stop in general during the lockdown. These include the following:

1. All rules should be defined as clearly as possible to avoid ambiguous interpretations and possible abuses by inspection bodies.

2. In case of the closure of all non-food stores, it is necessary to provide them the possibility to hand out goods purchased online to the consumers in specially designated places.

3. The list of essential goods the sale of which is allowed during the lockdown period (for example, feed, honey, etc.) should include the means of communications as similar to the norm in force during the severe quarantine restrictions this spring.

4. Not to impose restrictions on the transportation of employees by official transport as similar to regular public transportation.

5. When setting requirements for the operation of critical infrastructure facilities, it is necessary to consider providing related services and the operation of other supporting facilities (warehouses, cleaning services, security, etc.).

6. Allow portable food establishments to operate in the “take away” regime.

7. In case of the restricted state border crossing, it is necessary not to apply such restrictions to drivers and crew members of trucks, crew members of aircraft and ships, river vessels, members of train and locomotive crews. In addition, provide for the possibility of entry/exit of foreigners to Ukraine for the purpose of treatment and/or adoption of children.

8. Consider the possibility to allow the operation of large exhibition centers as a measure to support them, as they have a significant land tax burden, and are severely limited in their activities during the long-term quarantine period. Besides, consider supporting large businesses affected by quarantine restrictions at this difficult time by tax holidays, reduced payroll burden, and so on.

9. Business entities should be brought to responsibility only in cases where they have the opportunity to directly influence a particular person (who does not comply with or violates quarantine restrictions) or provide the right of business to deny the consumer service in the absence of properly worn means of personal protection.

10. Consider the need for employees of banking institutions to request customers to temporarily remove personal protective equipment for the purpose of identification.

11. Not to restrict the businesses engaged in selling, renting, leasing vehicles, and repair of technically complex household goods.

We hope that those business proposals will be taken into account to ensure that Ukraine’s economy can go through this difficult time.