“I am fully aware that these are tough measures,” said Prime Minister De Croo. “The coming weeks are going to be very difficult, but to prevent worse we need to act now.” The Prime Minister also explicitly addresses “those who have been hit hard” and have severe economic costs. “We will do everything we can to assist you. We are not going to let anyone go in this difficult period.”
That is why the federal government is doubling the bridging loans for those who are forced to close, existing aid measures (deferment of payment, for example) are extended and there will be a temporary cancellation of the social security contribution.
Flanders is also doing its bit. Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) announces an increase in the compensation premium, to 10 percent of the loss of turnover for companies with more than 60 percent turnover.
Not only is there the economic damage, the emotional damage is also likely to be great. “We are going to hold each other less, but we are not going to let go of each other”, Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (SP.A) tries to encourage everyone. “We are going to make great efforts to do this.”
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