BERLIN - Germany's economy minister is preparing new support measures for companies that have been hit hard by the pandemic such as the hotel and catering sector, Funke Mediengruppe reported on Wednesday.

Peter Altmaier plans to extend existing bridge loan facilities for companies by six months until the end of June next year, Funke Mediengruppe said, citing unnamed sources in the economics ministry.

He was also considering extended depreciation allowances and grants for modernisation and renovation projects for companies particularly affected by a collapse in demand, and redemption grants for loans from state development bank KfW.

Freelancers and self-employed persons could receive a state salary, according to the reports.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle, editing by Emma Thomasson) ((kirsti.knolle@thomsonreuters.com; +43 1 2530 1650 13;))