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The announcement of the Ministry of Health of the regression of the Metropolitan Region to Phase 2 of the Step by Step plan fell like a “bucket of cold water” in the trade, which had everything prepared to face the Christmas shopping and overcome somewhat the disastrous 2020 to the sector.
The Ministry of the Economy is aware of the effects of this measure and, therefore, they are thinking of a plan to help trade in this new stage of restriction. And an idea that goes through the head of the portfolio directed by Lucas Palacios is to delay the time of the curfew so that the business has more hours available for attention to the public.
The entire Metropolitan Region regresses to phase 2 and quarantines return on weekends
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Consumer confidence continues to rise, but return to Phase 2 would affect December data
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In conversation with radio Duna, Palacios warned that this measure would also force to modify the schedule of public transport.
The authority said that the other idea in its portfolio is that businesses, especially micro, small and medium-sized businesses, can operate in quarantine. It is a proposal that has already been sent to the Ministry of Health and that they have also discussed with the Interior.
“And we have provided evidence that, with well applied protocols, with a maximum capacity of one person per 10 square meters, this does not imply a risk of contagion”Palacios said.
The minister specified that this includes all “small businesses” that have the conditions to apply health protocols.
“With this we would respond to three problems. In first place these people who need to work, need to sell, it is a month that is extremely important. In second term, if all those shops are opened, people are distributed in a better way in the city (…) If we close them, what happens is that people crowd into the few shops that remain open (…) And in third term, to avoid informal trade ”, he explained.
The Secretary of State also warned that shopping centers “have never been prevented from opening” since the beginning of the pandemic and that, he explained, is because they regulate themselves and also inside there are shops such as pharmacies, supermarkets and home stores that can function.
“Shopping centers have remained open for these types of stores,” he said.
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