Andorra to Announce Aid for Pas de la Casa Businesses Hit by RN20 Landslide Closure

The Andorran government will announce aid measures next week for Pas de la Casa businesses affected by the RN20 road closure due to a landslide early Saturday morning.

Cap de Govern Xavier Espot confirmed the plans during a press conference following an extraordinary meeting of the Pas de la Casa Economic and Social Council. He said a package of support measures would be offered "no later than next week" to help mitigate the landslide's economic fallout. Espot added that a detailed stabilisation report from the Occitanie prefect is expected on Monday, which will guide the scope and nature of the assistance. The aid will differentiate between sectors, such as retail—dependent on day visitors—and hospitality or tourist accommodations.

Local retailers reported a 70% drop in turnover since the closure. Gerard Pifarré Ros, the commercial sector representative on the council, described the figure as "very significant" during the same press conference. He welcomed government consideration of options like soft loans or IGI payment deferrals, as implemented in 2019, and noted the need to cover staff wages. Pifarré also highlighted losses at the ski resort, where weekly visitors might face longer access times but day clients are staying away. He expressed hope for further measures from France's Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

Earlier, the Andorran Business Confederation (CEA) called for tailored financial help. CEA manager Iago Andreu, on Ràdio Nacional's *Avui serà un bon dia*, stressed that support should match the closure's duration and real impact. He referenced Covid-era tools like soft loans and ERTOs to preserve jobs amid revenue losses, but said it was too soon to specify actions.

Authorities have not confirmed an RN20 reopening date, Andorra's key route to France.