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This is how managers and employees of the bars, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs located here in the center of Vilnius, which was emptied during the quarantine, protested on Saturday.
Before the pandemic, Vilnius Street was one of the main entertainment venues in the city. And for almost four months, as of November 7, the bars are empty and the stagnation continues.
School managers complain that the distribution of support is stuck in bureaucratic procedures, the government distributes subsidies very slowly, and some institutions have not received any support yet.
“We are not yet eligible for support because we have more than 1 bar or company. Related companies. It is not even possible to complete the application form. They are not prepared,” said Saulius Galdikas, director of Piano Man.
The owners say they have no additional income, everyone spins while they pay: “We have downtime, employees in downtime, the company did not let us go.”
“It’s been almost 4 months. No subsidies, which everyone is talking about, but we don’t see. You can’t request the first package because there is no profile. The second package was postponed for 2 weeks, it was delayed,” said Mark Adam Harold, director of the Vilnius Night Alliance.
Vincas Jurgutis, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, justifies that he cannot accelerate the distribution of subsidies, but assures that almost 4 million euros of aid have already been transferred to more than a thousand restoration companies. In addition, the sector will have a part of the new 70 million euros agreed with the European Commission. € support package.
“Two-thirds of the support of those who have already presented has been transferred. We do everything, our work to compensate for the difficult period, which is difficult,” said Vice Minister Vincas Jurgutis.
Representatives for the bars say they understand why they are subject to some of the strictest quarantine restrictions, but ask that they be allowed to resume operations at least outdoors as soon as possible.
It is true that most of the inhabitants believe that it is too early for cafes and bars to resume operations until the spread of the coronavirus in Lithuania is controlled.
In Klaipeda, as in many other cities, cafes and bars in the country, employees also protest. Here, most people came to the main bars of the port city: Žvejų street. With posters, the company of four-legged family friends gathered about 20 people, including bar owners and employees. Police officers also came to check if people were simply protesting and not working in bars.
According to economist Sigismund Maurice, companies affected by a pandemic should not be discriminated against based on the nature of their activities. Therefore, bars, restaurants and clubs must receive the same state support as other companies.
“The criteria should be permission or disqualification during quarantine. Another is the drop in income. Not all companies can generate income even if the activities are allowed. The criteria should be as objective as possible, without excluding one sector or another. Because otherwise we can create a cattle farm and a breeding ground for corruption, from which we will not get out easily, ”said the economist.
Last day 561 new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed, with almost 9,400 people vaccinated. President Gitan Nauseda is already glad that this is not the limit. On Thursday, according to him, the vaccination rate exceeded 10,000. per day and, according to the data reviewed, 10,654 residents were vaccinated. The president promises that there will soon be even more vaccines in Lithuania and that Lithuania should aim to vaccinate 20,000 a day and, by mid-spring, more than 30,000. people a day.
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