Three additional measures to support workers and businesses to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in January were taken by the ministries of finance , Development and Investment and Labour and Social Affairs .

According to the relevant announcement, the support measures are as follows:

• Extension of the temporary work suspensions of employees with special purpose compensation to additional industries, with a percentage limitation on the employed staff that may be suspended.

From 1/1/2022 until 31/1/2022, only companies in the following sectors have the possibility to temporarily suspend 100% of their employees:

• Nightclubs and Bars
• Concert halls and professions related to music

It is recalled that employees who are placed on temporary suspension of their employment contract are entitled to special purpose compensation, proportionally for the period they are suspended, calculated on the amount of 534 euros per month.

For the above period and with the support measures, the full insurance contributions, calculated on the nominal salary, are proportionally covered by the State Budget.

1. NACE code of businesses that are already entitled to work suspension from 1/1/2022 at a rate of 100%

1.a. From 1/14/2022 until 1/31/2022, the possibility to suspend 100% of their employees is extended to companies in the following sectors:

• Performing arts and theaters
• Performing arts and theaters
• Organization of weddings and events
• Playgrounds

Additional Nace code of companies entitled to work suspension from 14/1/2022 at a rate of 100%

1.b. support measures From 1/14/2022 until 1/31/2022 the possibility to suspend up to 25% of their employees and at least one employee is extended to businesses in the following sectors:

• Hospitality
• Event catering services
• Hotels
• Travel agencies and booking services
• Cinema
• Organization of conferences and trade fairs
• Gyms
• Sports education and sports activities
• Dance schools
• Natural wellness
• Amusement parks and theme parks
• Casino

The cost of extending the measure estimated at 30 million euros for the rest of January.

support measures: Additional NACE code of companies entitled to suspension of work from 14/1/2022 at a rate of 25%

2. support measures Special support program for businesses in selected sectors that are significantly affected by the Public Investment Program

Eligible industries include, but are not limited to:

• Organization of conferences and trade fairs
• Events organisation
• Event catering services
• Dance schools
• Night entertainment centers

Application conditions: Reduction of turnover between 2019 and 2020 by more than 50%.

Aid amount: 8% of the 2019 turnover. Maximum aid limit: 400,000 euros.

The cost of the measure estimated at 42 million euros, funded by NSRF-REACT EU.

3. Suspension of payment of the January 2022 installment of settled debts to the tax administration of significantly affected companies and employees whose employment contract is temporarily suspended

• In the companies that are significantly affected (according to the KAD list of which 100% of the employees may be put on temporary suspension of work as above), the possibility of suspending the payment of the January 2022 installment of settled debts to the tax administration is provided and its repayment is postponed to the end of the applicable regulation.
• For employees across the territory whose employment contract is suspended, the possibility of suspending the payment of the January 2022 installment of regulated debts to the tax administration is provided and its repayment is postponed to the end of the current regulation.

The cost of these support measures is estimated in 8 million euro.