Kalmykia: entrepreneurs complain about losses due to quarantine

Forced days-off and self-isolation measures have affected entrepreneurs in Kalmykia. Banks provide no exemptions; authorities make no steps halfway; and the quarantine has inflicted hundreds of thousands of losses, the entrepreneurs interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" has complained.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that as of April 2, only one confirmed coronavirus patient was officially registered in Kalmykia.

Aldar Lidjikov, the owner of the "Royal Park" restaurant in Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, said that the work of his restaurant had stopped completely due to quarantine. "I don't know for how long we'll survive. But we'll not be able to stay in this regime for a long time. I have about 20 people on staff. Now, they are on vacation for their own expense," said the entrepreneur.

Banks provide no graces; payments remain the same. "Governmental support measures (in Kalmykia, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") haven't affected us," Mr Lidjikov has added.

According to his calculations, a monthly downtime will bring him about 300,000 roubles of losses.

Bairta Tostaeva, the owner of the "Legenda" restaurant, has estimated her losses caused by the quarantine extension at the same amount. "My losses include payback of loans, salary and payment for communal services. I haven't met my lessor yet; maybe we'll agree on some deferment. But then I'll still have to pay for this month. Now I have no money to make any payments," Ms Tostaeva told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 3, 2020 at 04:13 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.