"The resumption of activity in 2021 was a little difficult for 28% of companies that suspended their activities for an average of 143 days during this year," said the HCP in a report.

This suspension was slightly longer for 30% of very small companies, with an average period of 158 days of suspension, against 116 days for 27% of small and medium sized companies and 107 days for 14% of large companies, according to the same source.

Companies in the Education and Human Health (94%), Energy (84%) and Trade (83%) sectors operated continuously without a stoppage in 2021.

Companies in the accommodation (52%), arts, entertainment and recreation (49%) and construction (37%) sectors stopped their activities for an average period of 250, 186 and 169 days respectively.

The HCP pointed out, in the report, that nearly 43% of companies have experienced a decline in activity of more than 50% during the year 2021 compared to the period before the pandemic, 27% reported a decline between 10% and 50% and 10% reported a decline of less than 10%.

More than half of very small companies noted a decline in activity of 50% or more in 2021 against 31% for small and medium sized companies and 13% for large companies, stressed the HCP, noting that in the accommodation sector, almost all companies have reported a decrease in activity and 86% have declared a decline of 50% or more during the year 2021 compared to the period before the covid-19 pandemic.