Coronavirus: COVID-19

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause symptoms ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A new coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not yet been identified in humans.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the latest discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

COVID-19 infection remains mild in 80% of cases. In order to avoid spreading among the general population and to protect vulnerable and fragile populations, it is important to take a certain number of precautions.

SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that had not be seen in humans before. The epidemic began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, capital of the Hubei province. At first, the epidemic seemed to be linked to the South China Seafood City market. This market welcomes traders in seafood, poultry, bats, marmots and other wild animals, which indicates a probable animal origin of this virus. Later, spread between humans has also been identified. Cases have since been discovered in other regions of China and in other countries, often linked to a history of travel to Wuhan. The health authorities of the various affected countries are currently investigating the coronavirus and the sources of the contamination.

There is no universally applicable definition. However, it can be said that a pandemic is the increased and sustained propagation of an extraordinary human disease that rapidly affects all parts of the world and a large part of the global population.

Symptoms vary from moderate to severe respiratory disease, accompanied by fever, cough and difficulty of breathing. Seniors and people with pre-existing chronic illnesses seem more vulnerable and susceptible to complications.

The incubation period, time between contamination and the appearance of the first symptoms of COVID-19 infection is maximum 14 days.

If that person has COVID-19, all persons who have been in close contact with that person shall be sought after and identified by the Health Inspection. You will therefore be contacted by a Health Inspection officer who will give further instructions to follow. If this person is not infected with COVID-19, there is no need specific measures (besides following the recommendations of your physician).

No. Only a test on respiratory secretions is currently available to detect the presence of the new coronavirus.

Currently, the test is only executed on persons suspected to be infected with COVID-19, in accordance with the recommendations issued by the Health Inspection and the National Service for Infectious Diseases.  In certain specific cases, a hospital doctor may ask for the test to be carried out on a pneumonia patient.  All these tests are realized by the LNS and paid for by a specific budget of the government.

The result of the test shall be transmitted, by means of a secure transmission, to the Health Inspection or the hospital service, which requested the test, and who communicates it to the patient without delay. At the patient’s request, the result can also be passed on to his/her physician.

The COVID-19 infection is transmitted by people carrying the virus. The disease can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled from the nose or mouth when a person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can persist for some time on objects or surfaces around the person in question. An infection with COVID-19 can occur if you touch these objects or surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. COVID-19 can also be contracted by inhaling droplets from a sick person who has just coughed or sneezed. This is why it is important to keep a distance of more than two meters from a sick person and to respect basic hygiene measures.

Coronaviruses spread through secretions from humans and animals. According to the WHO, a contamination by a package from a risk zone is not likely.

COVID-19 is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, the virus being present in the respiratory secretions and being able to be transmitted by direct contact of person to person, sexual intercourse is favorable to a transmission of the virus, if one of the partners is infected.

At this stage, there is no vaccine yet. Research is ongoing.

There is no specific treatment at this time, although research is ongoing. The treatment is therefore mainly symptomatic, i.e. it is similar to the treatment for a cough, respiratory problems or high temperature.

Your physician is obliged to refer you towards the best possible care. If, after analysing your symptoms and risk factors, your doctor considers it appropriate to carry out a more in-depth assessment of your risk of COVID-19, it is his duty to refer you to the health services. If, at the end of this evaluation, the experts consider that your personal risk of COVID-19 does not justify any specific measures, your physician will be able to receive and care for you.

The same precautions should be taken as for any other respiratory infection.

1. Most importantly: wash your hands regularly and properly. The best way to wash your hands is illustrated online at www.sante.lu
2. Do you cough or sneeze? Do it in a tissue or in the crease of the elbow. Throw the tissue in a bin with a lid.
3. Avoid shaking hands or kissing.
4. Avoid close contact with sick people (keep a distance of at least 2 meters).
5. Stay home if you are sick. Don't go to work!
6. Avoid touching your face with your hands as much as possible.

Like the flu, the coronavirus is especially dangerous for the elderly and people with other (serious) health conditions. Protect yourself from coronavirus like you do for the flu. Follow the 6 instructions listed above and avoid poorly ventilated areas with many people.

At this point, it appears that children are generally less severely affected.

No. These people are not subject to special precautions under COVID-19. Only people who have an immunodeficiency or who are taking treatment that weakens their immune defenses, and for whom the attending physician has already prescribed specific protective measures (such as wearing a mask in a hospital) should continue to follow these prescriptions.

Wearing a mask in a preventive manner is not recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a means to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus.

The use of special masks (FFP2) to prevent infection with coronavirus only makes sense in hospitals where patients infected with coronavirus are treated and in laboratories for the analysis of the body material of these patients.

Quarantine is a measure of confinement of a person in good health but having had proven close contact with a sick and contagious person. This measure aims to contain further spreading of the virus and at protecting public health. It it is no longer adequate, once the virus has spread generally among the population at large. This measure to protect public health is a decision of the Health Inspectorate and its duration depends on the maximum incubation period of the disease (coronavirus: 14 days). Quarantine is accomplished either at home or in a quarantine center. A person cannot move freely during quarantine.

The person in question benefits from an absence of work certificate, equivalent to a sickness certificate, issued up by the Health Inspectorate and recognized by the health insurance. Certificates issued by health authorities of other European countries for quarantine measure are also recognized in Luxembourg.

Isolation is a measure of confinement of a sick and contagious person, based on a decision of the physician in charge of the patient's care. If necessary, isolation may be imposed by the Health Inspectorate if, for example, the patient refuses isolation or its therapeutic treatment. The duration of isolation depends on the duration of contagiousness of the disease.

Isolation is usually done in a hospital, but can also be realized at home. For the duration of the illness, the patient benefits from a sick leave equivalent to a sickness certificate issued by the attending physician. 

If more and more infections occur in Europe and in Luxembourg and it becomes clear that the circulation of the virus among the general public can no longer be stopped, the counter strategy will be adapted. In that case, the strategy will no longer be based on quarantine but will be focused on the protection of vulnerable groups of people with a risk of severe complications.

No. First, coronavirus testing is not recommended for someone without COVID-19symptoms. Further, a test can be negative during the incubation period of the disease, while the person is infected. A negative test could thus be a "false negative" and give a wrong insurance to the person and its surroundings. Finally, the result of the test is covered by medical confidentiality. The test is not public information for the employer or the school. The decision on sharing medical information with others lies in the hands of the patient.

A child who is ill should not attend the nursery /school or maison relais, regardless the risk of transmission of COVID-19. The same precautions apply throughout the flu season: Stay at home!

An inter-ministerial coordination group continuously plans and prepares the measures to be taken in the event of a COVID-19 infection in order to prevent or contain the spread.

Health authorities have developed procedures to take in charge suspected cases of infection and to follow up with their contacts. These procedures have been communicated to all physicians on several occasions.

The National Health Laboratory (LNS) is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the diagnosis of the virus. The national service for infectious diseases at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) is prepared to receive possible cases of suspected or confirmed illness.

The procedures for quarantine and self-monitoring of contacts have been defined by the Health Directorate and can be implemented quickly by the Health Inspectorate (Inspection sanitaire).

Luxembourg has a stock of special masks (FFP2) and surgical masks. These masks are intended for caregivers in close contact with a sick person or a person in quarantine. Further, Luxembourg is participating in a joint acquisition with other EU member states aiming to strengthen the existing stock.

An inter-ministerial coordination group continuously plans and prepares the measures to be taken in the event of a COVID-19 infection.

The Health Inspectorate is a division of the Health Directorate. The mission is:

• to ensure the protection of public health, both in terms of environmental health and the surveillance and control of communicable diseases,
• to organize medical checkups for third-country nationals,
• to process documents from foreigners seeking treatment in Luxembourg and whose care is not provided by social security organizations,
• to decide on the medical fitness for deportation measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not advocate additional measures for airports. In aviation, very strict procedures still apply. If the crew notices a passenger on board who is showing symptoms, this is reported to the airport before the plane even lands, and a medical team is ready at the airport to take care of the passenger in question. Other passengers will be taken care of according to the degree of exposure upon arrival of the Health Inspectorate.

Yes, our hospitals are prepared. A referral service, namely the National Service of Infectious Diseases at CHL, is in charge of the reception of patients infected with the coronavirus.

Currently, there is no prohibition or restriction on gatherings for events or demonstrations on Luxembourg territory. The organiser is responsible for the safety of participants in the events and demonstrations he organizes. The Health Department proposes a risk assessment .

No. The government has not issued any directives on this matter. Commercial activities, visits and tourism can be continued. Only quarantine measures established by the Directorate of Health for people who have had close contact with one or more cases of COVID-19 constitute a limitation to trade and tourism activities.

Risk exposure areas are defined as areas or regions for which diffuse community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been described and where the virus circulates among the population. Current regions are:

Avoid as far as possible a trip to a risk zone, namely a destination where the epidemic is raging.

If, however, you are traveling to a risk area, observe both the local instructions and the following recommendations:

1. Avoid contact with sick people, especially those who cough.
2. Avoid markets and places where animals are handled, live or dead.
3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based disinfectant solution.
4. Avoid contact with animals, their secretions or feces.

Your travel plans may be thwarted as some areas are closed to the public or quarantined.

If you have these symptoms and you have been in a risk zone, or if someone close to you is sick and has gone to one of these zones, call the Hotline 8002 8080 and mention your travel history and your symptoms.

Do not go to a physician's office or to the emergency room. To avoid contamination of other people, it is recommended to stay away from these people. Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissues in a bin with a lid and wash your hands frequently and properly.

If you have not been in close contact with a sick person who has recently been in a risk area, you should not worry. You may have a seasonal flu. In this case, consult your general practitioner.

• Monitor symptoms daily (cough, breathing problems)
• Measure your temperature twice a day
• Wash your hands frequently and properly
• Avoid contact with vulnerable and fragile people
• Continue your usual activity

• Stay at home and avoid contact with other people
• Call the Hotline 8002 8080
• Stay within reach for the Health Inspectorate

You are considered to have been in close contact:

• If you shared the same living area as the sick patient when the latter presented symptoms
• If you have had direct, face-to-face contact, within two meters of the patient while coughing, sneezing, or talking
• With your flirts and intimate people
• With your class or office neighbors
• If you are a neighbor of the sick patient on an airplane or train, or if you have stayed in a confined space with him (e.g. private car)

In line with international recommendations, children and young people who return from a risk zone, without having had proven close contact with a sick and contagious person and without presenting typical symptoms (cough, fever, respiratory problems) can directly return to school or day care.

If a child or teenager shows symptoms within 14 days after his return, or has been proven to be in close contact with a sick and contagious person, his parents must keep him at home, contact the Health Inspectorate, mention the symptoms and travel history. The physician of the Health Inspectorate will assess the situation and take the necessary precautions. Do not go to your physician or the emergency room.

If these people have not been proven to be in close contact with a sick and contagious person and do not have typical symptoms (cough, fever, breathing problems), they can resume their professional activity.

An employer can certainly ask an employee to stay at home.

In this case, the resulting absence is qualified as a work exemption and cannot be counted against recreational leave. It is recommended that you request the employer to communicate the absence of leave in writing.

Yes. If the Health Inspectorate takes such measures, the employee will receive a medical certificate of incapacity for work and the general rules laid down in Article L. 121-6 of the Labour Code apply.

During the period of quarantine covered by the medical certificate for incapacity for work, the employees will receive a sickness benefit.

No.

No, if the trip complies with the recommendations issued by the national authorities, which are competent for travels abroad.

If there is a well-founded fear of contamination risk for employees, the employer can refuse access to an employee and ask him to contact the Hotline: 8002 8080.

No, if the employer forces its employees to remain at home as a precautionary measure, he must exempt them expressly from their duties and continue to pay them their salary.

Yes, based on the employer’s legal obligation to ensure the safety and health of employees in all aspects related to work (Article L. 312-1 of the Labour Code). In order to introduce this new form of work, it is necessary to conclude either an amendment to the contract of employment or another bilateral agreement permitting the use of teleworking for objectively justified reasons related to precautionary measures in the fight against coronavirus.

Yes, but the employer is under no obligation to grant such a request.

Cross-border commuters must contact the Luxembourg health authority (by calling the HOTLINE: 8002 8080) and the competent authority in their country of residence (FR: SAMU Centre 15, DE: 116117, BE: 112).

Yes, cross-border workers resident in France, Belgium or Germany and quarantined in their country of residence will receive - from their relevant national authority - a medical certificate attesting the incapacity for work having the same protective value as the one established by the competent Luxembourg authority (‘avis d’interruption de travail’ (FR), ‘certificat d’incapacité de travail’ (BE) or ‘Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung’ (DE)).

Yes.

The limitations in question do not constitute a prohibition on working in the country of residence. In principle, they may be exceeded but, as the case may be, the cross-border worker will be taxed in its country of residence for all teleworking days.

Yes, but the employer is under no obligation to grant such a request.

No.

Luxembourg’s highly open economy largely depends on international trade to ensure its development and growth. In terms of both trade in goods and services (exports and imports), Luxembourg’s main trading partners are its neighbouring countries or countries in the internal market of the European Union (EU).

However, over the decades, Luxembourg has become more globalised and has increasingly established economic ties with America and Asia. The health of the Luxembourg economy is therefore highly dependent on the situation of the European and global economy, and is likely to suffer from any slowdown caused by the coronavirus at international level.

The various ministerial departments and administrations concerned are in constant contact with the business sector, and monitor continuously the impact on production and supply chains in Luxembourg and on trade and tourism. Indeed, sectors may be affected differently reliant on their dependence on intermediate products from the most affected countries and regions. The competent national authorities monitor very closely all developments related to the coronavirus.

The coronavirus is likely to have effects on the domestic economy, but the scale of the
short- and medium-term impact is difficult to estimate.

The continued freezing of production in China and the economic slowdown at international level, and in particular at European level, are also expected to have a negative impact on Luxembourg’s economy. The uncertainty also leads to a reluctance to invest on the part of businesses and occasion uncertainty on the financial and capital markets. The longer the epidemic persists, the greater will be its impact on the Luxembourg economy at different levels.

There is a wide range of financial support offered to businesses established in Luxembourg, whether to promote the launch of a business or to extend and diversify its activities. In general, all aid schemes for businesses granted by the Ministry of Economy remain applicable. The granting conditions can be found on the Business Portal on Guichet.lu.

Within the Directorate-General for SMEs in the Ministry of Economy, some aids are addressed exclusively at SMEs and could, where appropriate, be made available to companies that suffer the consequences of the coronavirus. In particular, investments in hygiene may be included in applications for investment aid using the dedicated form. Further information on eligible costs or on how to submit an application for financial aid can be found here:

Ministère de l’Economie — Directorate-General for SMEs (Service des aides aux PME)

B. P. 535/L-2914 Luxembourg

Postal address:
L-2937 Luxembourg

Tel.: (+ 352) 247-74704

Fax: (+ 352) 247-74701

Email: info.aide.pme@eco.etat.lu

Firms with cash-flow difficulties may contact one of the mutual companies for loan guarantees (mutualités de cautionnement) of the two professional associations (Mutualité de Cautionnement and Mutualité des PME), which guarantee part of the amount borrowed from approved credit institutions when the guarantees provided by the contractor prove to be insufficient. This activity, supported by the Directorate-General for SMEs, guarantees the access to financing for SMEs.

In order to protect jobs and thus prevent redundancies, the Luxembourg Labour Code allows businesses, under certain conditions, to resort to various short-time working (chômage partiel) schemes depending on the nature of the difficulties encountered.

The short-time working scheme in the case of force majeure can be applied to employees who are not covered by a certificate of incapacity for work and who can no longer be employed at all or can no longer be employed on a full-time basis, when the company can not ensure the continuation of its normal economic activity, while the supplier of raw materials can no longer deliver or no longer provide the necessary volume for reasons related to the coronavirus, or if there is a significant drop in demand from customers or users due to the coronavirus.

This short-time working scheme may also apply to employees who are not covered by a certificate of incapacity for work and who can no longer be employed at all or can no longer be employed on a full-time basis if, due to absences of staff caused by external decisions related to the coronavirus, a company can not continue its normal economic activity, or if, in the same context, one or more departments of the company are completely at a standstill.

It applies in principle to all economic sectors where the causes are directly related to the coronavirus.

In the event of an agreement, the Employment Fund (Fonds pour l’emploi) covers 80 % of the salaries normally received by the employees (which is capped at 250 % of the minimum wage for an unskilled worker) during the non-work periods with a maximum of 1.022 hours per employee and per year.

In order to apply for the scheme, a written request must be submitted by the employer or their representative, at the latest on the occurrence of the facts, and without having to take account of the normal period of introduction, to the secretariat of the Economic and Social Committee (Comité de conjoncture) at the Ministry of Economy by means of a form which must be signed by the president of the delegation of staff or their representative or, if there is no staff delegation, by all the employees concerned.

Any business making use of short-time working due to an event of force majeure undertakes not to make employees redundant for economic reasons.

More information can be found on the Business portal on Guichet.lu. The Secretariat of the Economic and Social Committee is available for further information on applications for
short-time working:

Ministère de l’Economie - Comité de conjoncture
19-21, boulevard Royal
L-2914 Luxembourg
Tel.: (+352) 247-84329
Fax: (+352) 46 04 48
Email: info@cdc.public.lu

The Office du Ducroire is a public body which offers Luxembourg exporters two tools to assist them in their development at international level:

• financial support through partial reimbursement of international promotion costs;
• insurance of risks related to international transactions and investments abroad.

The policy of granting financial aid and risk cover does not change following the emergence of the coronavirus.

The Office du Ducroire continues to support Luxembourg companies in their efforts to prosper at the international level by means of financial support, even if the project is carried out in a country or region affected by the coronavirus. Despite possible extended delivery times and possible cost increases, the costs of transporting exhibition material to such a region remain eligible, under the condition that the exhibition material is returned and not for sale.

In the event of the cancellation or postponement of a fair, the promise of aid remains valid and the company is asked to notify, by email, the Office du Ducroire who will make the necessary adjustments. It should be specified that, in such a case, the costs of cancellation (hotels, travel, etc.) are excluded from the costs covered.

The Office du Ducroire also continues to provide credit insurance solutions for exports to countries or regions affected by the coronavirus. In addition, the coronavirus has no impact on existing coverages. Eligibility for compensation depends, among others, on the product of coverage and compliance with the compensation requirements.

Contact for more information:

Office du Ducroire
14, rue Erasme — Kirchberg L-1468 Luxembourg
Tel.: (+ 352) 288 554-1
Email: Odl@odl.lu
Website: www.odl.lu