ZAGREB, Dec 3, 2020 - The government decided on Thursday that businesses that had been ordered to shut down as part of the efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic would be exempt from paying rent and the fee for the use of state-owned premises.
Bars and restaurants were forced to suspend their operations following orders by the national coronavirus response team of November 20 and 27.
"That's why additional steps need to be taken to help businesses maintain their economic activity and jobs," Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Darko Horvat said at a cabinet meeting.
The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets was authorised to exempt all businesses from paying rent and the fee for the use of state-owned premises during the lockdown.
Businesses that have not been ordered to suspend their operations, but who will experience a decline in revenues of 60 percent and more from December 1 until the restrictions remain in force will be exempt from paying rent in proportion to their revenues in the same month last year, provided that they keep their workers.
Based on its decision of July 2, the government has already written off HRK 5.8 million in receivables for the use of state-owned business premises for April and May, Horvat said.
