Prague 1 and the City Hall have set up a joint team of experts who are now working on a comprehensive plan to address the situation of different types of businesses and suggest measures to alleviate or compensate the impact of government restrictions imposed in association with the COVID-19 epidemic.

“We have responded immediately and agreed to abandon the annual rent adjustments, allowed a postponement of commercial rent payments and we are going to prepare a relief package for entrepreneurs to complement aid programs that have been introduced by the City of Prague and the national government with the aim to help businesses overcome this difficult situation,” says Prague 1 mayor Petr Hejma.

“Prague 1 has the highest concentration of sole entrepreneurs and small businesses. That is why the district council together with Jan Chabr, City Councilor responsible for municipal asset management, has initiated talks with professional organizations, such as the Prague 1 Chamber of Commerce and other business associations as well as with individual entrepreneurs,” says Councilor Karel Grabein Procházka who is responsible for fostering entrepreneurship in the city district.

“We have drawn up measures to prevent fatal consequences of the current health crisis on business in the city. We now need to focus on different types of businesses and on each city district separately in collaboration with the respective district councils,” adds City Councilor Jan Chabr.

On March 17, Prague 1 adopted a resolution to implement a set of measures, such as postponement of rent payments in its non-residential properties, abolition of sanctions for rent defaulters, and cancelling this year's rent adjustment for both non-residential and residential contracts. The district council is now working to detail the exact procedures, accelerate their implementation and focus on specific needs of entrepreneurs.

The package is expected to be finalized early in April. It will also address the situation of citizens who find themselves in financial distress due to the epidemic-related government restrictions. A draft plan is being consulted with local authorities and continues to be adjusted with respect to new government regulations.