I’ve been calling for ongoing help for small businesses that continue to lose business in the latest COVID wave, especially businesses in the CBD and industries like hospitality, events and nightclubs.

I welcome the new support announced through the Small Business Support Program which provides for a lump sum of 20 percent of weekly payroll for businesses experiencing a loss of 40 percent during February. There are specific rules and eligibility requirements that you will need to check. Information at > HERE. A good summary of the business impacts by Alan Kohler is available > HERE.

The Event Saver Fund will support major festivals and events > HERE. I’ve been supporting industry calls for an insurance scheme to cover events cancelled due to the pandemic.

The NSW government is also providing new Before and After School Hours childcare vouchers to help families with primary school children who have lost work from having to look after them while supporting these services that have lost business from parents working from home or families isolating > HERE.