State aid: Commission approves €10.5 million Danish scheme to support companies affected by restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of coronavirus

The European Commission has approved a €10.5 million (approximately DKK 78 million) Danish scheme to support companies that have been prevented from operating in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will be open to companies active in sectors, which, from March 2020 onwards, were covered by a total operation ban implemented to limit the spread of the coronavirus, and for which the total ban was lifted after 1 September 2020 and replaced by general safety and health measures limiting customer access. The support will take the form of direct grants. The purpose of the measure is to facilitate access to finance by the beneficiaries and to mitigate the liquidity shortages that they are still facing as a result of the current crisis. The Commission found that the Danish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support will not exceed €800,000 per company. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decisions will be made available under the case numbers SA.58780 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website.