Malls closed: almost 300,000 workers don’t know when they will return to work

One of the remaining coronavirus bans is for shopping malls. It is unclear when they will open their doors, which has already sparked an industry backlash.

Shopping centers only have supermarkets, where they are, as well as pharmacies.

In an official letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce insists on the full opening of the shopping centers. According to them, this will not worsen the epidemiological situation, but will reduce the economic consequences.

Due to the crisis with COVID-19, Todor Todorov stores remain closed for the second month. Financial losses are in the tens of thousands.

He has been in the fashion business for 30 years. Years ago, he moved his stores to shopping malls. Currently he continues to pay the rent and access to the store is conditional.

The sector employs nearly 300,000 people who are currently on the job market or on unpaid leave, according to BIA data.

That is why the industry insists on an exact date for the opening of shopping malls and clear rules on how to do this. They are looking for hope in the country.

For now, however, the government seems intransigent.

“Everything that is prohibited at this stage: I give examples of schools, shopping malls, etc.” It will not work, “said Health Minister Kiril Ananiev.

The industry also insists on changes in the Commercial Law in defense of the retail business. If their demands are not met, they do not rule out protests.