The epidemiological situation in the Republic of Moldova is worsening due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 infection and the soaring number of cases of illness in the population. The Chief Executive Natalia Gavrilița announced this during consultations with representatives of business associations, members of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister of Moldova.

Taking into account the alarming figures of infections – 2681 cases during the day yesterday – the Prime Minister discussed with the representatives of the associative sector potential measures to support enterprises and employees during the public health emergency as well as potential new rules for prevention and control of COVID-19 infection in the immediate future. Attending the event, Health Minister Ala Nimerenco said that in the coming period there is a possibility of an even greater increase in cases, including among children.

A first step to be taken in this situation is the generalization of the COVID-19 certificate for access to all closed commercial premises except essential services – grocery stores, petrol stations, pharmacies, postal services and banks, Natalia Gavrilița stressed at the meeting with the associative sector.

Limiting the number of customers who can be in a commercial space at the same time should be stepped up. Where possible, employees should be moved online to relieve congestion on public transport.  Consider moving education online for a short period – a week or two. Measures should be taken that would ensure stricter prevention and control of COVID-19 infection on public transport, trains and planes. It is also absolutely essential to ensure the functionality of the medical system in the country, the Head Executive added.

The Prime Minister also stressed that the Government understands very well that this is a very difficult period for business as well, as the prices of heating oil and fuel have increased. The opinion of the business community on potential measures from the state is very important, Natalia Gavrilița added.

For their part, representatives of business associations present at the public consultations mentioned the need to promote compensation mechanisms, including for technical unemployment, reduced activity regime of employees, and compensation for parents staying at home with children learning online. At the same time the business community called for discussions with the authorities on the deductibility of employers’ expenses related to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

In this regard, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection Marcel Spatari, present at the meeting, presented a set of measures developed by the state to support the business community and employees. These include compensation for days off for vaccinations, days off and allowances for employees with children learning online, allowances for employees on technical unemployment and the recommendation of the reduced work regime. This information can be found at www.declaratie-electronica.fisc.md

Representatives of the business sector also called for further promotion of policies to digitise G2B, B2B and B2C relations, in particular those related to remote identification. There is also an urgent need to speed up and implement provisions to boost e-commerce, including courier and online sales.

Deputy Prime Minister Iurie Turcanu mentioned during the meeting that provisions related to the digitization of the economy have already entered into force, allowing remote registration of businesses, including changes in company statutes; issuance of permits in electronic format; use of electronic signatures in employment relations. Digitisation also serves as an effective tool in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One example is the creation of the possibility to quickly scan https://certificate-covid.gov.md/ COVID-19 certificates to check their validity, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Representatives of business associations expressed their gratitude for the consultations organised by the Government, which gave them the opportunity to learn about the proposed changes before their approval and to express their opinion on the Executive’s proposals.

The proposals made by the members of the Economic Council during the consultations with Natalia Gavrilița will be collected and sent to the Executive by the Council Secretariat. All of them will be examined for consideration in the process of developing measures to support the business community and citizens, as well as to promote compliance with the COVID-19 liability prevention rules.

The Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funded by the UK Government’s Good Governance Fund.