"It is heartbreaking to close shops,
" insisted the Minister of the Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire on Monday in the morning of RTL.
In the 16 newly "
confined
" departments, nearly 90,000 had to lower the curtain last Saturday, for a period of at least four weeks.
Read also: Containment: these mayors tempted to leave businesses open
Despite everything, the tenant of Bercy wanted to show solidarity with the decisions of the government.
“
What I say to the Defense Council remains between the Prime Minister, the President of the Republic and the ministers.
It comes out in the press and I regret it, but when decisions are taken they commit the whole government,
”he explained.
Possible change in the list of businesses authorized to open
Among the so-called
“non-essential” businesses
, several were able to benefit from an exception in order to remain open to maintain “
the morale of the French
”: hairdressing salons, car dealerships, music stores but also florists and chocolate makers, who realize a large part of their turnover in Spring and Easter.
In this regard, Bruno Le Maire has again admitted operating on a “
case-by-case
” basis to limit the movement of people in enclosed spaces.
Read also: Containment: open businesses and those that close
He mentioned a possible evolution of the list of businesses authorized to remain open.
"
In the coming days, we will see if any situations need to be corrected,
" said the minister, recalling in particular his daily discussions with representatives of beauty salons and beauty institutes.
Liquidation of traders' stocks
In addition, the minister unveiled Bercy's avenues for reflection on the stock liquidations of traders.
Regarding clothing stores, Bruno Le Maire said he had asked the Minister for SMEs Alain Griset
"to find in the coming days a solution to deal with clothing stocks"
.
Two “
complementary
”
options
are now on the table.
Traders could be allowed to liquidate their stock, "
even though we are not in a period of sales
".
Also, financial compensation could be provided for companies that do not find their account with the aid from the solidarity fund.
To read also: The confidences of Bruno Le Maire, the essential “Mr.
Relaunch "
For businesses forced to remain closed, Bruno Le Maire also recalled the implementation of new support measures.
Initially, the companies concerned will
be
able
"to have access to the solidarity fund as soon as [they] lose 20% of [their] turnover"
, against
"50% previously".
He then assured that "business resumes will be processed"
.
Thus, entrepreneurs who took over a business in 2020,
"made investments"
, but
"still have not reopened"
and therefore cannot justify a turnover giving them the right to aid, will see
“All of their fixed charges reimbursed”
.
From March 31, the Ministry of the Economy and Finance will set up
"the fixed charges device" for "the largest companies those with a million euros in turnover"
, he said. added.
"Even some smaller companies"
which do not reach this amount could be beneficiaries of this aid, such as those operating in the spa sector, indoor sports or theme parks.
This system
"provides for coverage of fixed charges up to an amount of 10 million euros."
Finally, Bruno Le Maire will meet this Monday with the head of Medef, Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, and of the CPME, François Asselin, to address the issue of strengthening teleworking in the regions affected by a strengthening of health measures but also workers' concerns about meal vouchers.
A court decision handed down on March 10 exempts employers from this obligation, because their employees no longer have to lunch outside their home.