The Minister for the Economy has reopened the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme to support those businesses directly impacted by the Health Protection Regulations

Businesses forced to close or severely limit their operations as a result of the increased Health Protection Regulations, can apply to the scheme, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

If you missed applying before the scheme previously closed you can now apply. If your application is successful, any grant payment will be backdated to the date your business was required to close or cease trading as a result of the Health Protection Regulations.

New applications to Part A of the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme will close at 6pm on Wednesday 31 March 2021. You will be unable to apply to the scheme after this date.

For more on Plan A, click here

New applications to Part B of the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme will close at 6pm on Wednesday 31 March 2021. You will be unable to apply to the scheme after this date.

For more on Plan B, click here

Coronavirus: Protection from eviction for commercial tenants

Commercial tenants protected from eviction if they are unable to pay rent

Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction.

Landlords and tenants are having conversations and reaching voluntary arrangements about rental payments that are due but the government recognises businesses struggling with their cashflow due to coronavirus remain worried about eviction.

Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of COVID-19 will be protected from eviction. These measures mean no business will automatically forfeit their lease and be forced out of their premises if they miss a payment. The special provision in the Coronavirus Act 2020 which protects businesses unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic until until 30 June 2021.

This is not a rental holiday. All commercial tenants will still be liable for the rent. Commercial tenants are protected from eviction if they are unable to pay rent.

All commercial tenants in Northern Ireland are eligible.

Code of practice
In addition the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also published a Coronavirus: Code of practice for the commercial property sector that encourages tenants and landlords to work together to protect viable businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.