Methodological note to the consumer price index for May 2021 (COVID-19)

Since governmental measures were imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic, the movement of people was restricted in May 2021, and some outlets (stores) and service establishments were closed, which had a direct or indirect impact on household consumption and thus consumer price indices.

Methodological procedure how to cope with these unexpected fluctuations in the household consumption for the consumer price index (CPI) was based on the existing CPI concept and on a harmonised approach across EU Member States under the current circumstances for the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) the methodology of which is decisive also for the national CPI. Basic principles are described in details in methodological note for April 2020

Concrete measures to ensure continuity of time series of selected price indices in May 2021

As for the share in reduction of consumption within the consumer basket, it applied mainly to the following ECOICOP divisions:

Transport (07) – For the price index of air transport, an overall price index of transport services (07.3) was partially used.

Recreation and culture (09) – For recreational and cultural services (09.4), prices from the previous month were partially used, namely in cases, in which prices change only slightly (admission fees/charges). For package holidays (09.6), the prices were combination of prices surveyed from price lists and prices of international package holidays already realised in May.

Restaurants and hotels (11) – Prices were partially surveyed on the Internet, from price lists, and over the phone; for catering services (11.1) also from sale of food to take away (through little windows). For accommodation services (11.2), prices for April were partially used.