The Council of State has decided to grant additional non-repayable aid for the end of 2021. This support is intended for businesses particularly affected by the stricter public health measures implemented in late 2021 to combat the pandemic and the fifth wave linked to the “Omicron” variant. The aim is to support the sectors most affected by the crisis by covering a portion of their fixed costs for the last month of 2021 and, furthermore, to help mitigate the negative effects on their operations since the beginning of this year. These measures complement those taken in October 2021, which were intended to mitigate the effects of the health pass.
In December 2021, in response to the alarming epidemiological situation caused by the “Omicron” variant, the federal government and the cantons were forced to introduce new restrictions, namely the widespread implementation of the “2G” rule for several sectors and the “2G+” rule for others. These restrictions also included the implementation of mandatory remote work. They caused major difficulties for businesses in the affected sectors. Some of these businesses were severely hampered by a significant drop in foot traffic, with no leeway to develop alternative offerings. Others were indirectly affected by a substantial loss of revenue. Recognizing that the nightlife and restaurant sectors were particularly hard-hit—due to the cancellation of year-end meals and celebrations, among other factors—these sectors are once again receiving government support.
Since the start of the health crisis, the State Council’s primary objective has been to enable eligible businesses to ensure their long-term viability and to preserve, as much as possible, the jobs they provide in the canton, as well as the canton’s attractiveness. It has therefore decided, in consultation with the main umbrella organizations, to grant this additional aid:

  • to businesses that have already benefited from hardship provisions under mandatory closure orders, including the nightlife, hotel, and restaurant sectors, as well as the gaming sector (excluding games subject to the LJAr), indoor recreation centers, dance studios and schools, and fitness centers, through an additional subsidy of 1.25% of the annual reference revenue (equivalent to 15% of monthly revenue) for the month of December 2021, up to a maximum of 25,000 francs.
  • to businesses in the travel agency, forklift operator, and taxi company sectors that have already benefited from hardship provisions due to a decline in revenue of more than 40 percent, by providing additional support equal to 0.5 times their operating loss for fiscal year 2020.
  • to fairground operators by covering 2.75% of their annual reference revenue, up to a maximum of 25,000 francs.

Businesses that expressly declined to receive the aid offered in October 2021 may reconsider their decision.
The Department of Economic Affairs will contact the affected businesses directly by mail starting March 7, 2022. The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2022.
The State Council would also like to commend the strong partnership it maintains with umbrella organizations and social partners to minimize the impact on Neuchâtel’s economic fabric and jobs.