Preliminary findings show that the number of people working in the sector has dropped by 4.7%, according to the Federal Office for Culture.
The sale of cinema tickets dropped by nearly two-thirds compared with the previous year and the number of people visiting museums across the country halved.
But not all was doom and gloom in 2020. Interest in online cultural offers, including the use of e-books and games as well as the streaming of films, had grown, according to the office.
The government approved the legal basis to give financial aid to artists, event organisers and institutions affected by temporary closures and other restrictions in 2020.
Parliament also agreed a separate law which has been amended twice in the meantime in a bid to boost the culture sector.
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No respite in sight for Covid-hit culture sector
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Interior Minister Alain Berset is sceptical whether the financial aid is sufficient for the Swiss culture sector hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The Swiss government has agreed to extend financial aid to artists hard hit by Covid restrictions for the past 12 months.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.