Council of Ministers approves refreshment decree: to culture one billion euros

The Council of Ministers approved late this afternoon the refreshment decree, or the measure containing economic aid intended for the categories most affected by the coronavirus crisis, particularly those activities marked by Sunday’s dpcm. These include cultural workers, since the dpcm ordered the closure of cinemas and theaters until Nov. 24. For culture and tourism, in particular, the resources made available are worth one billion out of the five that the decree makes available.

The minister of cultural heritage, Dario Franceschini, has already anticipated the measures. There will be 1,000 euros for all self-employed and intermittent workers in the performing arts, and the extension of the layoff fund and special allowances for the tourism sectors. Then there will be refinancing of the Cinema and Entertainment Emergency Fund with 100 million euros, and refinancing also for the Emergency Fund for Cultural Enterprises and Institutions with 50 million euros. Still, there will be 400 million euros that will be directed to a non-repayable grant for accommodation facilities and spas, and an additional 400 million will be allocated to the Travel Agencies, Tour Operators and Tourist Guides Emergency Fund.

Other measures were anticipated by Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri: there will be non-repayable grants for concert halls and theaters. The average amount for the lowest range will be 5,000 euros, for the middle range 13,900, and for the high range 30,000 euros. According to Gualtieri, these are “significant but dutiful refreshments, which we know occur in the context of a difficult year for these sectors, which we believe can be a concrete help and are made within the framework of available resources.”

“The aid,” Minister Franceschini promised, “will be immediate to compensate those who have suffered the consequences of a sudden closure as a result of the last dpcm. With this intervention, the support activity for two sectors strongly affected by the health emergency continues. The funds will arrive quickly since the support comes through the refinancing of the various emergency funds contained in previous decrees.”

Image: Palazzo Chigi. Ph. Credit

Council of Ministers approves refreshment decree: to culture one billion euros

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