Slovakia’s government has agreed on a plan to pay up to 80 percent of the wages of companies that have had to shut down according to measures designed to fight the spread of coronavirus. The level of aid that the package offers will depend on the severity with which a company’s revenues were impacted. If it’s more than 20 percent, the state will contribute €180, and €300 will be offered employees of companies whose revenues suffered more than a 40 percent hit. The state is prepared to pay €540 in cases where the damage is greater than 80 percent. It’s also planning to provide €500m in bank guarantees to allow banks to refinance commercial loans. Prime minister Igor Matovič said the purpose of the funds being directed to banks was for them to use it to support their clients. Parents who can’t work because they have to take care of their school-age children will be compensated for up to 55 percent of their gross wage.
