Small businesses don't anticipate relief from COVID-19 until at least May

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COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses in terms of customer traffic, revenues and ability to operate amid government-mandated shutdowns, but there could be light at the end of the tunnel.

According to a study of 10,325 business owners conducted from January 9 through January 12, two-thirds of small businesses continue to experience negative impacts of COVID-19, and about 46 percent said the impact is significant. This represents a slight improvement from last month, which may be attributed to the passing of the third round of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act stimulus coupled with multiple approvals of COVID-19 vaccines, according to Alignable, which conducted the survey.