Entrepreneurs in the second call of the COVID rent program have so far submitted 15,661 applications for 2.2 billion crowns. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT), which prepared the subsidy title, approved about 69 percent of them for CZK 1.5 billion. As of this morning, registered about 31,000 applications for CZK 2.8 billion in the system, said MEP spokeswoman Štěpánka Filipová.
Entrepreneurs affected by coronavirus can apply for a third-quarter commercial rental allowance until January 21. Three billion Czech crowns is ready for the program. For the fourth quarter, the state will pay full rents in connection with the pandemic.
MIT started receiving applications for rental subsidies for July, August and September on 21 October. Officials are currently evaluating about 6,200 applications for about CZK 652 million, 846 applications for CZK 76.2 million are returned for completion. According to Filipová, the resort has so far rejected 96 applications for approximately CZK 6.3 million. There are about 8,200 pending applications in the ministry’s online information system for approximately CZK 612 million.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is completing the processing of applications from the first COVID call for rent, for which the income lasted from 26 June to 30 September. Entrepreneurs submitted 18,694 applications for CZK 2.6 billion for rent for April, May and June. The ministry has so far approved 98 percent of applications. 286 of them were rejected in the amount of CZK 25.7 million, and eight applications for approximately CZK 193 million are returned for completion.
Through the second call of the program, the state will contribute 50 percent to rent for entrepreneurs in the third quarter. Against the spring call, the condition of a 30 percent discount from the landlord was dropped. However, it is still true that when submitting an application, the applicant for a subsidy must prove payment of at least half of the rent. The maximum amount that can be applied for is CZK 10 million.
Support from the first and second calls do not add up. However, the program is subject to the so-called temporary framework set by the European Commission. This is the maximum amount that one applicant can receive from public support. Its amount was set at 800,000 euros (about CZK 21 million). The temporary framework includes the COVID accommodation or COVID spa programs.
Due to the re-closure of many establishments, entrepreneurs will be able to receive full rent compensation for October, November and December. Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček (for ANO) said this last week.
