Retailers point out that there is a large gap at international level: there are currently fewer trade restrictions in Lithuania and Estonia, but as of May 3, all traders will be able to work in neighboring countries.
If the government ignores traders, they threaten to appeal to the court for distortion of competition, said Iveta Priecīte, chief executive of Galerija Centrs shopping center.
“(..) World studies have shown that fresh air and good ventilation are capable of reducing the spread of viruses, including the Covid-19 virus. The Alliance of real estate developers, in cooperation with the Riga Stradiņš University has carried out a study on air quality in Riga commercial centers, and the results of the study clearly show that commercial centers provide very good air quality indicators (…),” Priecīte said.
Following the end of the emergency situation in Latvia as of April 7, all shops outside major commercial centers have resumed work in the presence of enhanced security, while only services and certain types of shops are allowed to operate in large malls. Retailers are forced to think creatively and bring shops out onto the street, as LSM reported previously.
