Pas de la Casa Traders Welcome RN-20 Reopening on March 9 Amid Aid Demands

**Pas de la Casa Traders Welcome RN-20 Reopening on March 9 but Press for Works Calendar and Better Aid**

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, confirmed last Friday that the RN-20 road—blocked since January 31 by a landslide between L'Hospitalet and Mérens—will reopen on March 9, ahead of the original three-month estimate. The advance, achieved through Andorran-French efforts, offers relief to Pas de la Casa businesses facing stabilisation works expected to span 12 to 18 months with periodic closures.

Traders view the date as a vital breather, especially for remaining French Carnival weeks and Easter, though they warn losses from the closure—particularly early Carnival sales—cannot be recovered. Josep Maria Mas, head of the Pas de la Casa Chamber of Commerce and Economic and Social Council, described it as "a bit of air" that provides moral calm with a firm timeline. "We're much more relaxed now that we have a date," he said, noting it secures key periods for skiers and shoppers.

The sector met Tuesday to assess impacts and dropped protest plans, instead urging a clear calendar for future cuts timed for low season with ample notice. They demand joint planning to minimise disruption, avoiding peak months like July and August, and specifying whether closures will be continuous or intermittent. Mas and others highlighted weekend access struggles post-Carnival, with detours deterring drivers despite controls.

Businesses await an immediate Andorra Turisme campaign targeting French media, especially Toulouse, to confirm March 14 Constitution Day as a trading Saturday—the first weekend after reopening—and rebuild day-tripper confidence. Mas said traders refreshed the request at a recent extraordinary Economic and Social Council meeting, though details remain pending despite advanced preparations.

Aid measures drew sharp criticism. The €30 fuel vouchers had "almost no" effect, benefiting mainly petrol stations as visitors refuelled without shopping. Traders propose reformulating them to require €50-60 purchase receipts excluding tobacco, plus rent reductions of 15-20% with fiscal relief for landlords, and extended soft government-backed loans covering the first quarter for rents, staff and suppliers. Gerard Pifarré, their council representative, praised some landlords' voluntary cuts but called for regulation. ERTO furloughs are now off the table given the imminent reopening. CEA president Gerard Cadena seeks proof of losses for any aid beyond March 9, especially for tobacco outlets.

Retail and dining suffered most, with day visitors down sharply—70% at The Cork restaurant, 50% at Perfumeria Mac, 40% at Supermercat Moments—while lower village shops like Racó de Lukka faced aid access hurdles amid fixed costs and IGI tax obligations. Ski rentals saw milder hits amid snow. Events like the Hibernation festival reported 15% ticket drops, with organiser Hugo Sauterel noting irrecoverable volumes despite authority efforts. French farmer protests and weather added pressures.

Hotels fared better. Unió Hotelera d’Andorra president Albert Mora reported February occupancy near 90% with no cancellation surge. "The impact was less than feared, more stable than expected," he said, stressing day-trade sectors bore the brunt. The reopening will help consolidate trust for coming weeks. Traders also seek a long-term reactivation plan involving tourism, commerce ministries and Encamp commune to diversify beyond tobacco perceptions.