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Large supermarket chains in particular have reportedly spoken out against an early closure. Retail group Spar openly criticized the plans the previous week. “We believe that shortening the opening hours does not make sense. It does not help anyone. From an epidemiological point of view, it is better if the people who buy are spread over more hours. And since you can go home from work at any time and use public transportation does drive, it’s not a problem for employees either, “Spar spokeswoman Nicole Berkmann told the APA on Tuesday. But if a regulation really does come, Spar will of course implement it, so will Berkmann.
Rewe (Billa, Merkur, Penny, Bipa, Adeg) and Hofer had also announced in advance that they would adjust their opening hours, if the government so decided. Several large shopping centers, as well as the furniture chain Ikea, already voluntarily adjusted their hours last week and will close earlier.
Lawyers warned of problems
But the previous closing time was also questionable from a legal point of view. The lawyers warned of constitutional problems. Lawyer Georg Krakow admitted in the “Standard” last week that there are clear exceptions in the regulation of protective measures with regard to the curfew from 20.00 hours for professional purposes, but also to cover the basic needs of the company. daily life. It cannot be argued that explicitly allow purchases on the one hand, but on the other hand close stores earlier by ordinance. In addition, there would be an unequal treatment that is difficult to explain with the rest of the employees who are allowed to stay longer in the office for professional reasons, according to the former prosecutor.
