Brdo pri Kranju - The government on Friday pledged to continue to help companies that are increasingly struggling as the coronavirus crisis is not letting up. "We will help the economy pull through and begin recovering as soon as possible," Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said at a press conference in Brdo pri Kranju.

The minister pointed out that the ministry's goal was to lift Covid restrictions as soon as possible and relaunch activities in all sectors.

Noting that the government has adopted job retention schemes and helped preserve companies, he said these two aims were key when it came to facing Covid-19 economy-wise.

Regarding a slightly modified strategy for tackling the epidemic, presented today at the briefing, Počivalšek said the new policy sought to enhance predictability when it came to imposing or lifting restrictions.

"When the criteria for advancing to the next epidemiological phase are met, the government will adopt measures that will take effect as soon as the next day," he said. The government is to regularly decide every Wednesday on whether the criteria have been met.

Počivalšek singled out liquidity as the key economic issue in the wake of the extended restrictions, adding that small and mid-sized companies had it worst.

He said that the seventh stimulus package had contained measures to keep businesses afloat, including soft loans, however additional measures would have to be put in place due to the extension of restrictions.

He also called for teleworking amid the poor epidemiological situation. No one is forced to work from home, he said, adding that in every company it was possible to implement teleworking in certain segments of operations.

Počivalšek, the head of the Modern Centre Party (SMC), addressed today's press conference along with Prime Minister Janez Janša and Defence Minister Matej Tonin, the leaders of Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi), respectively.