A further £3.4 million has been announced to support local businesses with continuing pressures around Covid-19 by the Economic Recovery Group.

This sum is in addition to financial support of over £9 million announced in early December.

Treasury Minister David Ashford said: ’We recognise the difficulties being faced by different sectors and the challenges they have ahead over the next few months.

’In light of the level of impact seen over the Christmas period, particularly within the domestic economy, the Economic Recovery Group have increased the level of support available and broadened the customer-facing sectors which are eligible for support, facilitated through two financial assistance schemes.

’This support is designed to assist these sectors further alongside supporting the wider economic base of the island.’

The Covid-19 December Disruption Scheme also opened for applications this week and provides grant support of up to £6,000 to eligible businesses and self-employed persons operating in the catering, hospitality, leisure, retail, lifestyle and additional domestic sectors whose turnover was materially impacted during December 2021, compared to the same period in 2019 or 2020.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 Winter Disruption Scheme, which opened in December 2021, provides grant support to businesses that have suffered a reduction in turnover, in the same broad range of domestic sectors, equivalent to four years’ business rates. Those businesses without commercial premises can claim a single grant payment of £4,000 to cover the same period.

These two schemes are designed to complement each other, according to the government, and businesses may be able to access both grant schemes for financial support. To access support, applicant businesses will be required to declare that they have suffered a significant reduction in turnover during the relevant qualifying period.