COVID-19 supports renewed for tourism, small businesses

The provincial government is renewing a pair of programs meant to help businesses facing revenue loss due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program distributed about $14.5 million to 761 businesses between August and October 2020, according to a government media release announcing the program will be extended.

“While hope is on the near horizon with the vaccine rollout now well underway, this support will assist tourism-dependent businesses that still face uncertainty about the 2021 tourism year as we continue to work through the challenges of the global COVID -19 pandemic,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in the release.

The program is available to tourism-dependent businesses that lost at least 30 per cent of their sales revenue in 2020 compared with 2019. Applications can be submitted starting March 8, with a deadline of April 30.

The renewed program is expected to distribute about another $15 million in relief.

Also announced Thursday was the extension of the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment program, aimed at small businesses forced to either close or restrict their operations due to public health orders. Eligible small businesses would be able to collect up to $5,000 a month for February and March; the money can be used for any purpose.

Businesses that are non-compliant with public health orders won't be eligible under either program.