“What is an essential business?
The question agitated the entourage of the Head of State this Wednesday at the time of the last arbitrations on the various professionals who will have to close their doors to the public at the time of the new confinement until December 1 decided by Emmanuel Macron.
The presence of hairdressers was the subject of intense debate until the last moments.
But at this point, this list should not change from the first containment.
However, "every two weeks, we will take stock of the evolution of the epidemic, we will decide on additional measures if necessary and we will then assess whether we can alleviate certain constraints, in particular on shops", indicated the head of state.
"I know that many traders were hoping not to close, I know that for downtown businesses, I am asking for a very big effort," agreed the President of the Republic.
And to add: “If within 15 days, we have better control of the situation, we will then be able to reassess things and hope to open certain businesses, in particular in this so important period before the Christmas holidays.
"
As a reminder, during the first confinement, last March, it was the decree of March 15, 2020 supplementing the decree of March 14, 2020, which specified which points of sale could open.
It is this list that is relevant again during this new confinement.
Which businesses will be open?
(according to decree of March 15, 2020)
Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, vehicles, agricultural machinery and equipment
Trade in automotive equipment
Trade and repair of motorcycles and cycles
Supplies needed by farms
Retail sale of frozen products
General food store
Mini-markets
Supermarkets
Multi-store stores
Hypermarkets
Retail sale of fruit and vegetables in specialized stores
Retail sale of meat and meat products in specialized stores
Retail sale of fish, crustaceans and molluscs in specialized stores
Retail sale of bread, pastry and confectionery in specialized stores
Retail sale of beverages in specialized stores
Other food retailing in specialized stores
Food distributions provided by charities
Retail sale of fuels in specialized stores
Retail sale of information and communication equipment in specialized stores
Retail sale of computers, peripheral units and software in specialized stores
Retail sale of telecommunications equipment in specialized stores
Retail sale of construction materials, hardware, paints and glass in specialized stores
Retail sale of newspapers and stationery in specialized stores
Retail sale of pharmaceutical products in specialized stores
Retail sale of medical and orthopedic articles in specialized stores
Retail sale of pet food and supplies
Food retail on stalls and markets
Sale by vending machines and other retail businesses not in stores, stalls or markets nec
Hotels and similar accommodation
Tourist accommodation and other short-term accommodation when it constitutes a regular domicile for the persons who live there.
Campgrounds and parks for caravans or leisure vehicles when they constitute a regular domicile for the persons who live there.
Rental and leasing of other machinery, equipment and goods
Rental and leasing of agricultural machinery and equipment
Rental and leasing of construction machinery and equipment
Activities of labor placement agencies
Activities of temporary employment agencies
Repair of computers and personal and household goods
Repair of computers and communication equipment
Repair of computers and peripheral equipment
Repair of communication equipment
Laundry-dyer
Wholesale laundry-dry cleaners
Retail laundry-dry cleaners
Funeral services
Financial and insurance activities
In addition, according to our information, Bercy would have pleaded for the maintenance of the wholesale trade, a precision which could be brought as of tomorrow by the government.
Which businesses will be closed?
By definition, these are all other businesses that will not be “essential” and defined by the new decree that will follow the government's announcements.
Bars and restaurants and establishments open to the public will therefore be closed.
As a reminder, during the previous confinement, the establishment of a so-called "click and collect" service had enabled many other businesses to open
in fine,
such as florists for example.
The president also announced support of up to 10,000 euros per month for losses caused by confinement.
The partial unemployment scheme is renewed.
It will be supplemented by “cash flow measures” for rents and charges for traders.
The Head of State also announced a "special plan for the self-employed" following these decisions, which will consist of a tax credit according to our information.
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“These are extremely difficult measures.
We hoped that the French would be able to go one or two hours a day in non-food businesses ”regretted Jacques Creyssel Director General of the Federation of Commerce and Distribution“ We hope that it will last as short as possible.
The head of state spoke of a 15-day delay.