Ordinance on Immediate Measures to Cope with the Coronavirus Crisis - Subject Matter and Purpose

1. This ordinance aims to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus that have arisen in the Canton of Schaffhausen and to prevent lasting damage to the Canton of Schaffhausen as a place to live and conduct business.

1. The support measures under this regulation are applicable only to the extent that no federal measures related to combating the economic consequences of the coronavirus are being applied. They must be coordinated with the measures decided or envisaged by the federal government.

1. This Regulation provides for the following support measures

a) Guarantees for bridging loans

b) Hardship compensations

c) Measures to prevent impending dependency on social assistance

d) Measures to preserve cultural diversity

2. Financial resources in the amount of a maximum of 50 million Swiss francs (framework credit) are made available for the support measures under this Regulation.

3. There is no legal entitlement to benefits under this Regulation.

1. To avoid insolvency due to the coronavirus, the Government Council may grant sureties to banks within the meaning of the Federal Act on Banks and Savings Banks (SR [952.0](http://db.clex.ch/link/Bund/952.0/de)), in accordance with Article 496 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, provided that

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| a) | these sureties secure bridging loans to maintain the liquidity of businesses with headquarters or workplaces in the canton of Schaffhausen; and | | |

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| b) | the liquidity cannot otherwise be secured, particularly through federal measures, for the months of April to September 2020. | | |

2. The sureties will secure loans ranging from CHF 20,000.00 to a maximum of CHF 500,000.00.

3. The sureties will cover 85% of the loans.

4. The interest rate shall comply with federal guidelines.

1. Applications must be submitted by the lending bank to the Department of Economic Affairs. The department reviews the applications and submits them to the Government Council for a decision.

1. The government council may grant hardship compensation to companies, self-employed individuals, or private law institutions provided that

a) they suffer a loss of revenue due to the coronavirus

b) their disadvantages are not, or not sufficiently, mitigated in other ways, namely through federal measures or other measures provided by the canton of Schaffhausen, and they are placed at a significantly worse position compared to other companies, self-employed individuals, or institutions

2. The hardship compensation, together with any other support, must not result in a more favorable position compared to other companies, self-employed individuals, or institutions.

1. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Economic Affairs. This department reviews the applications and submits them to the Government Council for a decision.

1. Notwithstanding § 4 of the Ordinance on the Unemployment Assistance Act, participation in employment programs does not require that the participating person live in economically modest circumstances.

2. The additional costs incurred due to the deviation from § 4 of the Ordinance on the Unemployment Assistance Act will be compensated by contributions to the Social Fund.

1. The Executive Council may grant indemnities for losses in accordance with Articles 8-9 of the Federal Ordinance on Mitigating the Economic Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Cultural Sector dated 20 March 2020 (COVID Ordinance Culture).

2. In addition to indemnities for losses pursuant to Articles 8-10 COVID Ordinance Culture, the Executive Council may provide further indemnities for losses to cultural enterprises, cultural professionals, and cultural associations up to a maximum to fully compensate for their financial losses, provided that

a) the financial loss is not covered by other measures, and

b) the continuation of regularly held events and/or cultural businesses cannot be otherwise ensured.

3. Lost profit is not considered as damage within the meaning of this Ordinance.

1. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Education. This department reviews the applications and submits them to the Government Council for a decision.

1. The Executive Council may, in addition to the financial assistance pursuant to Articles 2-8 of the Federal Ordinance on Accompanying Measures in the Sports Sector to Mitigate the Consequences of Federal Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-Ordinance Sports), support organizations in the sense of the COVID-Ordinance Sports, provided that they can substantiate with reasons that

a) the continuation of regularly held events in the sports sector, such as competitions, cannot be otherwise ensured, and

b) the necessary financial resources cannot be covered by other measures.

1. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Education. This department reviews the applications and submits them to the Government Council for a decision.

1. Municipal councils are authorized to make financial decisions for the protection of public order and safety and to prevent economic and social emergencies, which under cantonal and respective municipal law fall within the jurisdiction of the municipal assembly or the residents' council.

2. This authorization is valid for as long as the prohibition of public events according to Art. 6 para. 1 of Ordinance 2 of March 13, 2020, on Measures to Combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in effect.

1. This regulation shall enter into force on March 25, 2020.

2. It shall be submitted to the Cantonal Council for approval.

3. It shall be published in the Official Gazette and included in the Cantonal Compendium of Laws.