The new shutdown in the retail sector will require bold measures to save businesses from permanent closure, the Athens Trade Association said on Tuesday evening.
Following the new shutdown of stores announced by the prime minister for stores in Attica, the Association said that the continuing rise of coronavirus cases in the general population during store lockdowns proves that the retail sector is one of the “safe” sectors in terms of dispersal.
“We have frequently stressed the third lockdown will lead to the permanent shutdown of one in two businesses, and in order to avoid this we must apply immediately a giant support plan, carefully and in a targeted manner, without exclusions and exemptions,” it said in a statement.
“The financial proposals we have tabled so far are no longer able to deal with the nightmare businesses are facing,” it said, calling for urgent action, while adding that if there are no additional support measures, “a deep economic crisis will follow us for many years ahead.”
The third lockdown February 11-28, 2021, will allow shopping only online.
