With 300 million euros paid out to companies since the start of the health crisis in 2020, the Luxembourg government has already pledged to support its economy. Now, it will strengthen support measures, following the relaxation of government aid regulations granted by the European Commission,
Minister Delles provided an update on the situation during a briefing on Monday afternoon.
Fledgling businesses which were founded after 1 January 2020 will now be eligible for assistance, in line with the new rules. Delles also announced further support for horeca (hospitality) companies suffering as a consequence of the pandemic, whose loss of turnover for the month of January 2021 is less than the 25% required. These companies may benefit from the stimulus aid for the month of January 2021 if they were legally obliged to close down.
In addition, businesses offering delivery and takeaway will not have to calculate up to 25% of the latter as part of their turnover in order to receive financial aid. This will apply to turnover from February to June 2021.
Financial support will now be extended to June, with the deadline extended to 15 May. Requests for costs which are not covered may be submitted until 15 September.
Start-ups may now take advantage of assistance with uncovered costs, in addition to stimulus assistance, even if they started their activities after 31 October 2020. The new deadline for the start of activities is now set at 31 December 2020.
Delles said it was essential for companies to submit their requests for aid in full. He added that the government encouraged businesses to continue operating where possible, but admitted he could not say for certain when sectors such as hospitality would be permitted to reopen to full capacity.
