COVID 19

EU study on the behaviour of consumers in 2020 The results of a survey conducted for the European Commission at the end of 2020 illustrate the impact the COVID-19 crisis had on consumption patterns, with consumers shopping closer to home or supporting local businesses. At the same time, consumers made ‘greener’ choices, they were willing […]

Under the State Aid Temporary Framework, the Commission has recently approved: €200 million Cypriot schemes to support companies and self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak; a modified €1,2 billion Danish ‘umbrella’ scheme to support self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak; a €2 billion French scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the […]

Under the State Aid Temporary Framework, the Commission has recently approved: a €149 million Belgian scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies in Flanders affected by the coronavirus outbreak; a €34 million Belgian scheme to support tourism companies in Flanders in the context of the coronavirus outbreak; a €115 million Czech rent compensation scheme […]

The risk of infection when working in retail, including in food retail, is not increased. That is the result of a survey of retail companies by the trade association for trade and goods logistics (BGHW) and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). For this purpose, the researchers from the institutions evaluated data […]

A new study by Accenture suggests that businesses may never go back to traditional ways of working once COVID-19 subsides. According to Accenture, employers will take the opportunity presented by COVID-19 to reevaluate the fundamental purpose of work, where work gets done; and how work gets done. Accenture’s COVID-19 Consumer Research, carried out between 26 November and […]

The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a briefing assessing short-term economic developments during the COVID-19 pandemic via the use of adjusted tools of measurement. (Source: DeHavilland) Under the State Aid Temporary Framework, the Commission has recently approved: €23 million for Belgian measures to support the production of coronavirus-relevant products; two Czech employment schemes to support […]

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that an exceptional meeting on the approval of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine against COVID-19 has now been scheduled for 21 December, eight days earlier than originally envisaged. Vaccinations across the EU will begin on 27 December, provided the EMA authorises the shot. A second vaccine by Moderna will be […]

EU leaders finally reached a compromise on the EU’s next budget and the recovery fund „Next Generation EU”, together amounting to €1,8 billion. EU leaders had originally agreed on the deal in the summer. However, in recent weeks, Poland and Hungary had threatened to veto the deal over its „rule of law mechanism”, which the […]

On 2 December, the European Commission adopted a strategy for sustainably managing the pandemic over the coming winter months. The strategy recommends continued vigilance and caution throughout the winter period and into 2021 when the roll out of safe and effective vaccines will occur. Measures include physical and social distancing, testing and contact tracing, safe […]

The European Parliament approved €823 million in EU aid to seven countries to help them tackle emergencies including the coronavirus pandemic. More than €130 million will be distributed in advance payments to Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal. The majority of the aid, up to €683 million, will be used to support Croatia […]