Minister of Interior: Spacing measures for tables and chairs likely to remain until end of year
Minister of Interior
12 May 2020
/ 15:21
ATHENS. It is probable that the measures for the catering industry with extended space for tables and chairs will remain in force until the end of the year.
This was what the Minister of the Interior Takis Theodorikakos told OPEN TV in an interview.
The Minister said, "This is a temporary measure for this difficult transitional period - lasting a few months and probably until the end of the year in order to help catering professionals keep on staff."
Mr. Theodorikakos said that there will be provisions for open passageways (approx. 1.80m) and access for those with special needs. Municipalities will also be allowed to pedestrianise areas and to reduce local taxes by 50% for those businesses unable to extend their outdoor space. In any case, any extension of space will not be accompanied by an increase in tax.
He stressed that for the economy the coming months will be difficult. "In order to deal with the problems there needs to be a comprehensive plan, which the Government is implementing, but there also needs to be unity and solidarity. We need to be very practical," he said, with catering businesses being an example. When asked about labour relations, he said the framework hasn't changed and added, "The state will maintain the framework of measures and workers' jobs. However, I want neither to simplify or idealise the situation.
"We know that there will be an increase in unemployment in the coming months and we are fighting hard to prevent this. But when there is a recession in the next six months an increase in unemployment is unavoidable. If Mr. Mitsotakis, who was amongst the first in Europe to take action, hadn't suspended business operations and we were now mourning hundreds of deaths, what would have happened? The message I'm trying to put across is that just as we have managed with unity, solidarity and the Prime Minister's decisions these last three months, so we will manage over the coming months."
With regard to labour relations in public services, he repeated that the Government isn't planning to reduce wages in the public sector.
The Minister said, "This is a temporary measure for this difficult transitional period - lasting a few months and probably until the end of the year in order to help catering professionals keep on staff."
Mr. Theodorikakos said that there will be provisions for open passageways (approx. 1.80m) and access for those with special needs. Municipalities will also be allowed to pedestrianise areas and to reduce local taxes by 50% for those businesses unable to extend their outdoor space. In any case, any extension of space will not be accompanied by an increase in tax.
He stressed that for the economy the coming months will be difficult. "In order to deal with the problems there needs to be a comprehensive plan, which the Government is implementing, but there also needs to be unity and solidarity. We need to be very practical," he said, with catering businesses being an example. When asked about labour relations, he said the framework hasn't changed and added, "The state will maintain the framework of measures and workers' jobs. However, I want neither to simplify or idealise the situation.
"We know that there will be an increase in unemployment in the coming months and we are fighting hard to prevent this. But when there is a recession in the next six months an increase in unemployment is unavoidable. If Mr. Mitsotakis, who was amongst the first in Europe to take action, hadn't suspended business operations and we were now mourning hundreds of deaths, what would have happened? The message I'm trying to put across is that just as we have managed with unity, solidarity and the Prime Minister's decisions these last three months, so we will manage over the coming months."
With regard to labour relations in public services, he repeated that the Government isn't planning to reduce wages in the public sector.
