Ministry suggests grants for businesses over COVID-19 lockdowns

MOSCOW, Jul 22 (PRIME) -- Different Russian regions have vastly different situations with the coronavirus epidemics, and the Economic Development Ministry suggested issuing short-term grants for small and medium-sized businesses in the regions that impose lockdowns, Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said late on Wednesday.

“Like (Deputy Prime Minister) Tatyana Alekseyevna (Golikova) has already said, the situation with COVID-19 differs from region to region, and some territories may need to impose additional and tough restrictions connected to direct suspension of business activity for some time. It is important that businessmen that have their activity restricted receive state support during these short-time restrictions,” he said at a meeting of President Vladimir Putin with ministers.

“We suggest thinking about provision of short-term free grants to the small and medium-sized businesses, whose activity is suspended due to temporary regional restrictions.”

The measure should be provided in the first place to the companies in the industries of the hospitality, public catering, retail, and consumer services. This help should also be provided to the social nonprofit organizations. The companies should receive half a minimum monthly wage per each employee for suspensions of up to two weeks, and up to a full minimum monthly wage per each employee for longer restrictions, he said.

Putin supported the idea, saying that regions should coordinate these tough restrictions with Moscow.

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