The coronavirus pandemic continues to significantly affect the business environment as, beyond the 2020 losses, 7 out of 10 entrepreneurs fear that the third wave of the pandemic, which has already hit Western countries, could block their activity again, shows the results of an opinion barometer conducted by a consulting company.

According to the barometer, 57% of entrepreneurs believe that the effects of the pandemic will be seen at least until the beginning of 2022. Only 22% believe that the economy will return to the floating line in the second half of this year, while 19% say they do not know how the situation will evolve.

“Before talking about the economic recovery, 62% of those interviewed fear that the situation will worsen epidemiologically and only 15% see the prospects in an optimistic note. The main fear is related to the imposition of new restrictions that would affect the business environment, mentioned by 72% of respondents. The list of challenges also includes, in the foreground, the increase of prices, mentioned by 43% of those surveyed, the accentuation of the financial blockage (29%), the decrease of sales (21%) and the payment of obligations (taxes, fees, bank installments, leases), mentioned by 19%,” shows the barometer made by Frames, at the order of the Employers’ Association Protect Romania, according to Agerpres.

Businessmen are worried about how Romanians have begun to deal with the danger of Covid. Thus, 58% of respondents say that, against the background of vaccination, they see a relaxation among Romanians, which risks leading to an increase in the number of infections.

“The vaccination campaign has brought more confidence in the prospects of overcoming the pandemic, but, unfortunately, it has also influenced people’s preventive behavior. In many institutions/companies, protection measures have been relaxed prematurely. Wearing a mask, using disinfectants and social distancing must continue, regardless of the dynamics of vaccination,” the conclusions of the barometer show.