In response to the rebound of the Coronavirus Pandemic, many European countries have adopted varying degrees of restrictions on commercial activities, prohibiting the operation of non-essential commercial facilities. However, different countries have different standards for judging whether commercial facilities are necessary, and their respective standards reflect regional characteristics.
The Associated Press reported on the 7th that Germany counted auto transactions as non-essential business activities in the first round of control measures implemented this spring, causing the auto industry to suffer heavy losses. In the new round of control measures implemented on November 2 , The car shop is open as usual.
In Belgium, chocolate shops and bookstores are open as usual. Marlene Van Walsham, owner of a chocolate shop in Brussels, said: “Chocolate must be a necessary food because it can make you happy.”
Barbershops are not subject to control measures in Italy, while in England and the United Kingdom, people rush to get haircuts before the second round of “city lockdown” measures take effect on the 5th, because barbershops are not subject to the “city lockdown” measures for at least four weeks. Necessary business premises must be closed.
Charity Xie, one of the founders of the Italian branch of the hairdressing chain company TONI&GUY, said: “Italians care about their image very much… The government may think that, on a psychological level, hairdressing can relieve people from tension and pressure. Get a moment of relief.”
Belgium allows supermarkets to operate, but does not allow the sale of “non-essential” goods. For example, Christmas decorations are counted as non-essential goods, retail stores that sell such decorations are closed due to regulatory measures, and supermarkets are not allowed to sell these decorations.
Ali De Kraner, manager of a Carrefour supermarket in Brussels, said: “You can sell books and magazines, but not DVDs, CDs and game discs. You can sell sewing equipment and stationery. You can sell gardening tools, pots and pans, toys and Christmas items. Can’t sell.”
