Slovenian business chambers strongly oppose new lockdowns

Ljubljana – The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) and the Chamber of Craft and Small Business (OZS) strongly opposed PM Janez Janša’s hints of a possible closure of the economy due to the poor epidemiological situation, with business representatives reiterating on Tuesday that they simply could not afford that.

“This is simply unacceptable,” said Director General of the GZS Aleš Cantarutti, who also advocated for encouraging vaccination amongst employees.

Cantarutti’s strong opposition was a response to suggestions made in the parliament on Monday, as Janša said that Slovenia was on the verge of being forced to close down public life and the economy due to irresponsible behaviour.

Cantarutti agreed that the data on Covid-19 infections were increasingly alarming, but expressed the belief that the epidemic can still be controlled through responsible behaviour and encouraging vaccination, without resorting to lockdowns.

The GZS stressed the need for the economy to remain open and suggested keeping an eye on the selective containment measures in other European countries which do not burden the economy.

Cantarutti added that the first and second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic have already cost the national economy EUR 1.5 billion due to lost or missed economic growth.

His sentiments were reaffirmed in Tuesday’s press release by the OZS, saying that Slovenia can not afford a new lockdown as many small businesses and craftsmen are still recovering from prolonged closures during the epidemic.

The OZS therefore urged the government not to close down small businesses and expressed worries about the record-level energy price increases as well.

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