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The coronavirus (covid-19) crisis is growing worldwide. This Saturday, March 14, France reached stage 3 of the coronavirus pandemic and in response, the French government has banned public gatherings resulting in the closure of many places including all essential shops, hair salons, beauty salons and barbershops.
With the current uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is only natural that the government should be cautious about health and safety. This is particularly prevalent in an industry such as hairdressing since much of the service relies on physical touch.
In a televised speech on 16 March 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he was 'suspending all reforms' because France is now 'at war' with the coronavirus. Measures to contain the virus will be severely restrictive, with people being forced to stay at home for a period of at least 15 days.
However, in order to compensate for the obvious economic impact of the closures, he also announced that the government would make aid available to companies so that they could survive this delicate period. The freezing of bank loans and tax deferrals are part of this package.
It is therefore important for salon owners and managers to keep up to date with useful information from reliable sources in order to be aware of exceptional measures for their establishments.
This is an unprecedented challenge facing the world. We need everyone to step up their efforts and play a role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in their region. We understand that this may cause hardship for some and frustration for others, but it is imperative that we do what is best for you, your families, your clients, your employees...
It is imperative that salon owners heed official advice while the coronavirus spreads. This, of course, will have a significant impact on many small businesses, and with this in mind, the government recently announced that it will provide relief in the payment of premiums, taxes
The government is acting quickly to offset the financial pressure (covering short-time working, taxes, etc.), particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises such as hairdressing salons, which constitute the bulk of economic activity, by granting tax breaks, extending the time taken to pay taxes and facilitating access to public funding.
The French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, proposed this week to the companies concerned public financing to pay short-time working benefits, as well as relaxed credit conditions for BPI France.
"For entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, craftsmen, a solidarity fund will be created, to be matched by the State..." announced the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron on 16 March 2020. As well as a suspension of electricity and gas bills and rents for the smallest businesses which will not have to pay taxes (except VAT according to the latest information) and social contributions.
Click here for support measures and useful contacts to accompany you.
The French government is promising €45 billion in aid to small businesses affected by this containment due to the spread of the coronavirus.
This is in addition to tax breaks and the "solidarity fund" for small businesses in difficulty: €1500 from the Solidarity Fund for the self-employed whose turnover falls by more than 70% (still to be confirmed, as the government's information does not officially specify the criteria for receiving it, nor whether it will be a one-off payment). This is also in addition to the tens of billions already promised to French employees forced to stop working due to closures of shops, hairdressing salons, beauty salons... and new strict containment measures.
If you have symptoms, regardless of their intensity, you will be entitled to statutory sickness benefit from the first day of your self-isolation and you do not need proof for this.
If you are symptom-free, you should know that the French government has allowed employers to speed up procedures to facilitate short-time working during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and has slightly increased the hourly working allowance.
In order to cope with a rapidly deteriorating economic situation due to the pandemic, many hairdressing salons have resorted to short-time working. A company's short-time working (or technical unemployment) consists of temporarily closing the establishment or reducing working hours, while ensuring that the latter are paid a salary corresponding to 70% of gross pay, i.e. 84% of net pay and 100% for employees on minimum wage (in the classic case).
In view of the current situation, the French Government shared its intention to facilitate the conditions for recourse to this system. In the event of recourse to short-time working, employees affected by a loss of wages must be compensated by an indemnity paid by the employer.
In return, the employer receives an allowance from the government for so-called "hours off".
In accordance with the provisions ofArticle R. 5122-2 of the Labour Code, before starting short-time working, the employer must send a prior request for authorisation for short-time working to the DIRECCTE's single referent in your region.
This request can be made online.
The DIRECCTE must normally notify the employer of its decision within 15 days of the request. However, the French Minister of Labour recently announced that his services are being mobilized to reduce the response time to 48 hours despite the recent increase in requests.
If there isno response within 48 hours, the authorization is deemed to have been granted and the progress of the application can also be tracked online.
Nevertheless, the President of the French Republic announced on March 12, 2020 that the system put in place in the context of the coronavirus could go beyond what is provided for by law and that the compensation could cover the entire hourly allowance paid to the employee. He promised many measures of economic support to companies, during a televised speech on March 16, 2020 "no company will be left at the risk of bankruptcy...we are setting up an exceptional system of deferral of tax and social security charges, support for the extension of banking deadlines and a State guarantee... so that no one is left without resources, for employees, the short-time working scheme will be massively expanded".
In order to present the government measures to safeguard your establishments and to answer all your questions live, Wavy has organised a free Webinar with a lawyer for all our clients. Click on the link below to register.
I register to the Webinar for free
If you have any questions about Covid-19, please feel free to watch the replay of the Webinar in which Dr. Lebeau answered all of the participants' questions. We would like to thank him warmly for his time and his clear and detailed explanations.
To summarize, below is a list of measures taken to prevent Covid19 :
More details by following on the BPI site
Before going any further, the important thing to remember is 'don't panic!' TheWorld Health Organization states: "VIDOC-19 is generally benign, especially in children and young adults. »
Of course, some people will be more at risk. Like the elderly, people with serious health problems: heart disease, diabetes or lung disease.
There is a lot of misinformation and intoxication about this pandemic, so make no mistake about it. The World Health Organization is an excellent resource for advice and information.
Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and use the hydroalcoholic gel to protect yourself and those around you. Click here for WHO hand hygiene guidelines.
Also follow good cough and sneeze etiquette to protect those around you.
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of droplets. These droplets are the main way the coronavirus (Covid-19) spreads. You should then immediately dispose of the used handkerchief and wash your hands thoroughly. Finally, avoid gatherings and limit your movements.
The key is not to panic but to be informed, to follow the facts and to be able to react around this situation.
Even in times of crisis, you can see beauty. The beauty of solidarity between fellow citizens in many countries. The beauty of family moments spent laughing and telling each other anecdotes. What is important is our health, the one we neglect and often take for granted. So yes, we must not neglect our situation, we are going through and will continue to go through difficult times, and we will have to make many sacrifices to ensure our safety and that of others, but let's be optimistic and above all see the beautiful things in life. Nothing is ever all black and white. Take care of yourself ❤️
