The economy minister said today that exceptional support for restaurants in municipalities covered by the state of emergency to compensate them for lost revenue over these two weekends will amount to 25 million euros.
At stake is an exceptional measure that complements others that already exist for the catering sector, consisting of support equivalent to 20% of lost revenue this weekend and next week, compared to the average invoicing for all weekends this year.
In a press conference, the minister explained that in the specific case of this support, the calculation of the average loss of revenue is done by comparison with the weekends of the first nine months of the year because the objective is to compensate these companies for what they could earn if were open.
The country has been in a state of emergency since November 09th and until November 23rd, a period during which there is a curfew in the municipalities with the highest risk of contagion and neighboring municipalities.
During the week, the curfew must be respected between 23:00 and 05:00, while on weekends circulation is limited between 13:00 on Saturday and 05:00 on Sunday and between 13: 00 on Sunday and 05:00 on Monday.
This measure has increased the contestation of the catering sector with demonstrations scheduled for today.
This exceptional support, which will be paid in December, will be added to the 1.103 million euros that have already been made available or are announced for the catering sector, which includes 286 million euros through the simplified 'lay-off' and support progressive recovery, 12 million euros through the Adaptar program and 580 million euros in credit lines.
The data released today by the minister indicate that of the 750 million euros contemplated in the Apoiar.pt program, 200 million euros will be absorbed by the restaurant sector.
Apoiar.pt consists of non-repayable support aimed at micro and small companies in the sectors most affected by the crisis, such as commerce, culture, accommodation and tourist activities and restaurants, covering those that had revenue losses of more than 25% in the first nine months of this year.
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