Found themselves in unequal conditions: how much Ukrainian business will lose in the red zone

Already from November 8 in Ukraine, it is officially allowed to fire employees who have not been vaccinated against coronavirus and work in enterprises, institutions and organizations subject to compulsory vaccination against COVID-19.

According to the new rules, educational institutions, catering and the entire entertainment business can operate in the red zone provided that the collective is 100% vaccinated and serve only vaccinated visitors.

The privileges for the vaccinated are outraged by visitors, but business is the most protesting.

Despite the opportunity to work during a full lockdown, entrepreneurs complain about inequality, such restrictions are called suppression of business.

“Today” together with Elena Khotenko, member of the Ukrainian Business Council figured out what Ukrainian entrepreneurs think about the new restrictions.

Business outraged

According to Elena Khotenko, most of all entrepreneurs are outraged by the fact that because of these rules they lose a large percentage of customers .

Now the reaction is unambiguously negative. This is due to the fact that a large percentage of visitors are lost. Indeed, to date, less than 20% of the population of Ukraine has received the first dose of the vaccine, ”the expert says.

A member of the Ukrainian Business Council also noted the uneven situation in the regions, because in large cities, due to a more active information policy and the availability of opportunities, a larger percentage of vaccinated people.

At the same time, no one controls the real statistics of the distribution of the vaccinated by region, and business finds itself in unequal conditions.

How do I check certificates?

People refuse to present documents and complain about violation of their rights, the problem is in the possibilities for these checks.

Another question faced by the business is how to verify these certificates? After all, there is no special software, trained people who could do this. And if you take a small business, there is generally no superfluous personnel who can be entrusted with this task, “says Khotenko.

Expert calls for empowering businesses and more active awareness-raising campaigns, because no one denies the importance of vaccination.

“What to do with those who refuse to present a document and comply with the requirements of the staff? Use force? Business will not do this. Call the police every time to draw up an administrative protocol, too, since this is time, nerves, image.

So far, this mechanism has not yet been debugged, because on the one hand, quarantine restrictions have been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, and on the other hand, sellers and foremen have no powers to control their implementation.

“Of course, business is socially responsible and they will always be on the front line, but they ask to strengthen the information campaign so that they will be given more rights in order to avoid conflicts with customers. So that they can refuse their customers and at the same time not lose them,” the expert emphasized. …

Why are businesses fined?

Another problem causing the ire of Ukrainian entrepreneurs is the shifting of responsibility to them, namely, the payment of a fine.

According to Elena Khotenko, business owners are forced to pay for the superstition of the population and bad information policy.

“Of course, everyone is very indignant that the state has shifted financial responsibility to business owners. Business perceives what is happening with a negative attitude, because the population for the most part is not ready for vaccination, has a lot of prejudices, and in the end, not these people will be fined, but their leaders.”

How much will entrepreneurs lose?

According to the calculations of the association, especially in the red zones, business will lose about 60-70% of the trade flow in the service sector, catering and non-food products.

Experts give different numbers in pharmacies and the non-food sector, but still they are range from 25% to 45%, says the expert.

“The lack of a control system, mass information policy, fear of losing their customers, risks of losing turnover and incurring losses are pushing businesses to turn a blind eye to the lack of certificates or tests from their customers,” Olena Khotenko said.

What do entrepreneurs want?

Elena Khotenko says that there is still a positive reaction to the availability of tools to influence the population.

“On the other hand, business expects partnerships with the authorities in establishing new rules. One of the reasons for the outrage is that business representatives are not consulted, at least at the level of associations representing their interests.

Rules are introduced quickly enough, and opportunities do not keep up with them… The expert notes that even the police are just beginning to install applications for scanning certificates.

Also, entrepreneurs are asking to expand the circle of those people who can be served, in particular:

• conduct express tests and, based on their results, let them into shops and cafes;
• equate people who have had coronavirus with those vaccinated for 180 days;
• allow to serve people who have a certificate of the impossibility of getting vaccinated for health reasons.

This will certainly increase business revenues and reduce layoffs and business closures.

Earlier, “Today” together with experts figured out who could lose their jobs due to quarantine.

And we found out how hard the new wave will hit FOPs.