Following Monday’s announcement that the current circuit break lockdown will be extended by seven days [until at least midnight on Wednesday, March 31], the government has confirmed that financial assistance will also be extended.

Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance [MERA], which provides individuals and the self-employed who are made redundant, laid off, on no pay by their employer, or who are prevented from carrying out their work due to restrictions, with £230 per week, has been extended by one week.

The Salary Support Scheme, which will provide businesses with a payment of up to £310 per full time employee [the increased support figure from £280 being subject to Tynwald approval], continues to be available to provide support to qualifying businesses in March.

The government has said that the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme is under review and support will be extended to businesses who remain impacted by continued restrictions, with a further announcement regarding this to be made ’in due course’.

Further information on all coronavirus support schemes is available at www.gov.im/coronavirus