Home topics news Image Credit: Tim Mossholder News Small Business News NSW pours a billion dollars to support businesses amid Omicron surge Yajush Gupta January 31, 2022 The New South Wales government has set up a $1 billion assistance package for businesses affected by Omicron. Businesses with less than $50 million in revenue and a 40 per cent drop in revenue in January and the first fortnight of February will be eligible for a pay-out of 20 per cent of weekly payroll. In addition, the package also includes $80 million in ticket sales subsidies for the performing arts sector. The fees and charges rebate is being expanded to cover 50 per cent of the cost of rapid antigen tests. Applauding the announcement, COSBOA CEO Alexi Boyd said, “This is great news for small business owners and their employees across NSW. “Businesses that are strong and viable in normal circumstances now have a better chance to get through this devastating Omicron outbreak.” “This support package is also a welcome acknowledgement of the thousands of small businesses who have bent over backwards to limit the spread of COVID by closing for months at a time, learning about and implementing infection control measures, enforcing check-in rules, encouraging their staff to get vaccinated, and purchasing rapid antigen tests. “We particularly commend the NSW Government’s decision to base eligibility criteria on a decline in turnover. Some people don’t realise that it’s not just the businesses you see on the high street affected by COVID-19. “Behind