Country-specific updates
AUSTRIA
Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Krise auf verfahrensrechtliche Fristen in gerichtlichen Verfahren
Zur Hintanhaltung jeglicher Missverständnisse entschied sich der Gesetzgeber, eine nicht notwendige ausdrückliche Klarstellung im 4. COVID-19-Gesetz vorzunehmen, das nach der Kundmachung im Bundesgesetzblatt (BGBl I 24/2020) mit Beginn des 05.04.2020 in Kraft getreten ist (2. COVID-19-JuBG). Hier weiterlesen.
Auswirkungen der Schließungen von Betriebsstätten auf Mietverträge
Am 15.03.2020 hat das Parlament das Bundesgesetz betreffend vorläufige Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung der Verbreitung von COVID-19 (COVID-19-Maßnahmengesetz – BGBl I 12/2020) verabschiedet. Dieses Gesetz gibt dem Bundesminister für Gesundheit die Möglichkeit, mit einer Verordnung das bundesweite Betreten von Betriebsstätten oder nur bestimmten Betriebsstätten zum Zweck des Erwerbs von Waren und Dienstleistungen zu untersagen, soweit dies zur Verhinderung der Verbreitung von COVID-19 erforderlich ist. Hier weiterlesen.
Das COVID-19-GesG – Aktuelles zu Virtuellen Versammlungen im Gesellschaftsrecht und zu elektronischen Notariatsakten
Der Nationalrat hat unter anderem im Zuge der COVID-19-Gesetzgebung mehrere gesellschaftsrechtliche Maßnahmen im Rahmen eines sog. gesellschaftsrechtlichen COVID-19-Gesetzes (COVID-19-GesG) beschlossen. Hier weiterlesen.
3. COVID-19-Gesetz: Datenschutzkonforme Verarbeitung von Gesundheitsdaten der Dienstnehmer
Am Freitag, den 03. April 2020, wurde im Nationalrat das 3., 4. und 5. COVID-19-Gesetz beschlossen. Es handelt sich dabei um Sammelgesetze, mit denen in Summe knapp 100 gesetzliche Änderungen vorgenommen wurden. Datenschutzrechtliche Aspekte standen hierbei nicht im Vordergrund. Hier weiterlesen.
Fragen, Antworten und Praxisbeispiele zu den COVID-19 Sonderverfahrensvorschriften für Verwaltungsbehörden, VwG, VwGH und VfGH (einschließlich Update zum 4. COVID-19-Gesetz)
Aus Anlass der aktuellen COVID-19 Epidemie hat der österreichische Gesetzgeber knapp eine Woche nach dem 1. COVID-19-Gesetz (BGBl I 2020/12) ein weiteres Sammelgesetz (2. COVID-19-Gesetz, BGBl I 2020/16, in Kraft getreten am 22.03.2020) beschlossen. Hier weiterlesen.
BULGARIA
Bulgaria: Tracking mobile devices and data protection - Where do we draw the line?
Over the last few weeks, the search for effective measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 has been the number one priority of affected countries. So far, there is no unified approach. A noteworthy trend is the increased awareness of the potential of data, which is sometimes even referred to as the "new oil". Read more here.
Bulgarian Coronavirus Payment Moratorium and its effect on cross-border financial transactions
On 24 March 2020 in the State Gazette of Bulgaria, the Measures during the Emergency Situation Act [Закон за мерките и действията по време на извънредното положение, обявено с решение на Народното събрание от 13 март 2020 г.] (the "Act") was published, whereby the Parliament of Bulgaria inter alia imposed various measures (most of them being applicable as of 24 March 2020, but some having a retroactive effect – see below) that can affect financial transactions, which will be briefly reviewed in this update. Read more here.
CROATIA
COVID-19 information on financial support for employers
To help employers disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic to retain their employees, the Government of Croatia has decided to provide aid for a maximum period of three months from the beginning of March. Read more here.
The impact of COVID-19 on employment from the employer's perspective
Given the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic in Croatia, the National Civil Protection Committee (Sto~er civilne zaatite) has put in place numerous restrictive measures to protect the lives of all citizens. These have greatly affected the economy and the everyday lives of employers and employees alike. Read more here.
HUNGARY
Further COVID-19-related developments in the Hungarian banking sector
On 1 April the MNB announced that it will hold a one-week deposit tender, announced weekly, which will allow for more efficient liquidity management by borrowing at a base rate of 0.9 %. The deposit tenders have begun with the first tender held on 2 April 2020. Read more here.
ROMANIA
State aid scheme to support Romanian SMEs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in light of the new amendments via GEO no. 42/2020
The Romanian government has finalised and adopted a state aid scheme to support SMEs in the context of the economic downfall generated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Benefiting from a budget of RON 781m, the state aid scheme proposes measures to guarantee loans and to subsidise interest, as well as the related commissions, allocated to SMEs. Read more here.
SERBIA
Antitrust in the time of COVID-19 – Is close cooperation between competitors permitted?
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profoundly negative impact on the operation of all undertakings in Serbia and beyond, regardless of the business activities concerned. In this extraordinary situation, undertakings are looking for arrangements that will (i) allow them to mitigate the staggering impact on their businesses and at the same time (ii) ensure the supply and distribution of their products to end users. Read more here.
SLOVENIA
Crisis Management Checklist for CFOs
The fact that the COVID-19 epidemic will have a significantly negative impact on the economy has been more or less universally accepted. According to current projections, Slovenia will face a drop in GDP ranging from 6 % (according to the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development) to 16 % (according to the Bank of Slovenia). Read more here.
Secure your receivables while enforcement is suspended
One of the measures adopted in light of the Covid-19 epidemic in Slovenia is also the suspension of all non-urgent court proceedings, including enforcement proceedings, until further notice. This means that currently, creditors in possession of enforcement title cannot effectively initiate enforcement proceedings against Slovenian debtors / assets in Slovenia. Read more here.
CEE updates
The impact of COVID-19 on M&A
The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to impact the process, timeline and documentation of M&A transactions in the turbulent times ahead of us. Below are some techniques for parties to protect themselves in the current crisis. Read more here.
Amendment of the obligation to file for insolvency in CEE
With the fourth law on COVID-19, the Austrian legislator has suspended the obligation of an overindebted debtor to file for insolvency until 30 June 2020, irrespective of the cause of the over-indebtedness. Some other countries in the CEE region have also adopted measures to combat the consequences of COVID-19 as detailed in the following overview. Read more here.
Status of Intellectual Property Offices in CEE
Due to the impact of COVID-19, several Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs) have announced adapted guidelines and information on the current status of proceedings and deadlines. Find the full information here.
Labour & Employment-related measures in combatting the consequences of COVID-19 in CEE
Find an overview of labour & employment-related measures in combatting the consequences of COVID-19 in the CEE region here.
COVID19 Overview on moratoria
Find the full overview here.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
