The government has announced more help for businesses during lockdown.

On Friday the Chief Minister said that the lockdown would be extended to April 6 at the earliest.

The salary support scheme will be extended throughout the months of March and April, at the current increased rate of £310 per week. MERA, the Manx earnings replacement allowance, has also been extended on increased rates (of £230 per week) until April 12.

The Coronavirus Business Support Scheme will provide an additional £1,000 payment for all businesses which have already applied for and received the current CBSS payment of £1,500. This will be facilitated as a one-off automatic payment in order to cut paperwork.

Two new payments have also been introduced.

The Domestic Business Payment will support some businesses that operate from commercial premises, including those in hospitality and retail, with a grant (in addition to the CBSS payment), equivalent to one year’s rates.

This grant represents up to £7.3 million worth of support directly to affected businesses.

Further, in recognition of the disruption caused by the government’s Stay at Home request on the weekend of February 27, and the ensuing loss of supplies that this meant for many businesses in the hospitality sector, a grant of £250 per eligible business who closed towards losses over the weekend of February 27 and 28 will be made available.

Further information on how to apply for each of the extended or new schemes will be made available later this week.