The situation we are experiencing due to the consequences of Covid-19, among others, is one of having economic peace of mind.
There are many people who are suffering from complex circumstances, both in their personal, professional and economic spheres.
Self-employed workers, businesses, companies and SMEs are the ones who are suffering the most and therefore the country’s productive fabric may be greatly affected.
The Government, therefore, with the Omnibus Law, wants to try to help and stop this situation. With the two packages, there are 21 measures aimed at self-employed workers and 11 for entrepreneurs; All considered to alleviate the Covid-19 crisis.
One of the questions that many people ask is the following: Who can access the financial aid plan?
- Employees who are in isolation, whether due to infection or contact, can benefit from compensation of between 66% and 100% of their salary from the first day depending on the sector in which they work.
- Workers with children under 14 years of age who do not have close relatives who can care for them and who work in an essential sector of activity, can stay at home and the Government will still pay their salary.
- Depending on their circumstances, entrepreneurs and self-employed workers can reduce their social security contributions or suspend them completely. In the latter case, the Executive assumes their contributions so that they maintain health coverage. In addition, they can access different soft loans, as well as significant discounts on the rent of commercial premises (between 50 and 100%) depending on whether the activity is maintained or suspended. In addition, operators in the energy and telecommunications sectors offer substantial discounts to the affected self-employed workers or entrepreneurs.
Finally, the employer’s share of the CASS contributions of those workers of companies that have suspended their activity will be assumed by the Government. They can also request deferrals and fractional payments of the different tax figures in order to better manage their treasury.
The electricity and telecommunications supply companies, FEDA, private suppliers and Andorra Telecom, are also offering significant discounts to self-employed workers who have suffered from the health crisis. Specifically, a 100% discount for those who have completely suspended their activity and an 80% discount for those who have maintained an activity through an on-call or permanent service.
Another measure established by the law is the reduction of advance payments, the deferral or fractioning of debt and tax penalties. This deferral affects all tax returns as a result of the exceptional measures adopted due to the emergency situation.
In addition to the economic measures, one of the questions that is also of great concern is the following:
What coverage do I have from Caixa Andorrana de la Seguridad Social if I have been on sick leave due to COVID-19 or if I have been isolated as a precaution?
If you are a worker in essential sectors and have not had to stop working, the CASS covers 100% of your sick leave from the first day. On the other hand, if you are not a worker in essential sectors, the CASS will cover 66% of your salary as a work-related accident.
So what is considered an essential service?
These are essential services, such as the following:
- Emergencies
- Electricity
- Drinking water
- Fuel, gas
- Telecommunications, media
- Cleaning services
- Health supplies, pharmacies
- Food distributions.
If you have more questions and you do not know the answers, the Government has set up a telephone number for general information about Covid-19: 188
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