The Constitutional Court, evaluating the applications of several shopping centres, has acknowledged that the regulation which established restrictions on the operation of large shopping centres within the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic does not comply with the basic law of the state. The regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers violated the fundamental rights of entrepreneurs, preventing some points of sale from operating and causing significant losses. In total, shopping centres have lost at least 65 million euros during the restrictions, of which less than 20 million euros have been compensated, and according to entrepreneurs, the government has a duty to fully compensate the losses.
In support of the Ukrainian people and the country that is heroically resisting Russian aggression, the members of the Alliance of Real Estate Developers (NĪAA) express solidarity with the people of Ukraine and provide both symbolic support by displaying Ukrainian flags at commercial properties in Riga and Latvia, and practical support by donating funds and providing necessary workplaces for Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.
Recent Government announcements indicate that in Latvia, the requirement to present vaccination certificates for entry into shopping centres could be lifted from 1 March. However, there is a lack of epidemiological justification for this wait, and while the Government is hesitant, shopping centres continue to lose around 2 million euros a month. Meanwhile, the unvaccinated part of Latvian society is actively spending their income in neighbouring countries where trade restrictions have been lifted. In order to stop inequality and allow Latvian entrepreneurs to resume full-fledged operations, shopping centres are inviting the Government to immediately cancel the requirement to present certificates for access to their premises.
All posts