Covid-19, Financial Services, Good for Business, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Tourism

The local government is expected to lose an estimated EUR 500,000 in uncollected street trading fees this year. 

The local government of the Latvian capital city indicates that due to the Covid-19 emergency and movement restrictions the traffic of local residents and tourists in the city has significantly decreased, which is having a direct impact on segments like food services. 

For restaurateurs, summer and the sunny days of spring are the busiest and most profitable seasons, therefore support measures are necessary, for instance, to make it easier for them to receive street trading licenses, the local government said. 

It has therefore been decided to temporarily suspend the charging of street trading fees from food service providers and street vendors. The already collected street trading fees will be reimbursed. 

The local authority has also decided to allow shops that do not qualify as food service establishments to place tables and chairs on the sidewalks to serve coffee, tea or snacks.