03/11/2020
Joint statement
Peter R. Wilhelm, Chairman of the ECSP Board, and Dominique Moerenhout, CEO of EPRA
For our members, the run up to Christmas is the most important time of the year. We have therefore noted with grave concern the rise of new Covid-19 infections. Public health and safety must always be everyone’s primary priority. Our members have consequently invested significantly in new procedures and products to protect the millions of people who visit our shopping destinations every day. While the new rules being introduced by governments across Europe this week are an important way of trying to manage this crisis, extended restrictions will however have a disproportionate impact on the retail property sector. To help safeguard up to 6.3 million European jobs we urgently call on the relevant authorities to ensure a level playing field across the retail sector, both online and offline, and to apply a tiered approach wherever possible, as soon as possible. Communities must have continued access to the things they need and want as we head towards the traditionally busy Christmas season.
