Background information

Following a surge in COVID-19 infections, the Latvian Government declared a 3-month long state of emergency on 9 October 2021, starting from 11 October 2021. Later, on 21 October, the Government introduced a four-week period of even more strict restrictions in order to significantly slow down the spread of COVID-19. To help entrepreneurs overcome this phase of the crisis, the government introduced several support measures.

Support for cultural, recreational and leisure venues affected by the COVID-19 crisis is implemented in accordance with the amendments (7 December 2021) to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 772 “Regulations on Support for COVID-19 Crisis-Affected Shopping and Sports Centres and Cultural, Recreational and Entertainment Venues”.

On 6 January 2022 the state of emergency was extended till 28 February 2022.

Content of measure

The support measure is intended to compensate for the loss of turnover for the legal owners and tenants of cultural, recreational and leisure facilities affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The support is a one-off grant for the period from 1 October to 31 December 2021, to cover the operating costs related to the use of the building and premises from 1 October 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Companies eligible for the support must operate in indoor premises with an area of 150 m2 or more and the rights to the indoor property or lease were acquired before 1 March 2020 and are valid until at least 31 December 2021.

The principal or secondary activity of the company must correspond to the NACE Rev. 2 classification code:

• 59.00 (Production of motion pictures, video films, television programs and sound recordings).
• 68.20 (Renting and operating of own or leased real estate).
• 74.90 (Professional, scientific and technical services).
• 77.39 (Renting and leasing of other machinery, equipment and tangible goods).
• 82.30 (Meeting and trade fair organization services).
• 85.52 (Cultural education).
• 90.01-90.04 (Creative, artistic and entertainment activities).
• 91.01-91.04 (Activities of libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities).
• 93.21 (Operation of amusement parks and theme parks.
• 93.29 (Amusement and recreation activities).

The total decrease in turnover is of the company has to be at least 30% in one of the following periods:

• Comparing the total turnover for October, November and December 2021 with the total turnover for October, November and December 2019.
• Comparing the total turnover for October, November and December 2021 with the total turnover for July, August and September 2021.

The support is a one-time payment of €25 for each square meter of the total area of a cultural, recreational and entertainment place, except for rented office premises and trade premises for commercial activities (shops and cafes).

Use of measure

Not available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Peak level social partners’ organisations are normally informed of Government decisions. Regarding COVID-19 measures, social partners participate in working groups and depending on their capacities are involved in consultations and negotiations.

Views and reactions

No specific views to report.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 08 October 2021: From 11 October, an emergency situation is declared in Latvia for three months (www.mk.gov.lv)
• 21 October 2021: During four-weeks period, Latvia will put in the maximum efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic (www.mk.gov.lv)
• 15 December 2021: Web page of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (www.liaa.gov.lv)
• 12 January 2022: Regulations on Support for Covid-19 Crisis-Affected Shopping and Sports Centres and Cultural, Recreational and Entertainment Venues (likumi.lv)