'You now only have to wait six weeks between jabs and you can book a convenient date'

MS for Wrexham

Asking people to self-isolate is an important way to break the transmission of coronavirus but for many people it can mean a loss of income which they can ill afford. To help remove some of the financial barriers, the Welsh Government introduced the Self-Isolation Support Scheme in November 2020. The scheme offers those on low incomes a £500 payment if they are told to isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect (TTP) service because they have symptoms of coronavirus or are a close contact. With Covid cases rising due to the emergence of the delta variant, the Welsh Government has approved an extra £4m to extend the scheme until March 2022. So far more than 13,200 payments have been made to people across Wales since the scheme’s inception and I am pleased people in Wrexham, such as those who cannot work from home and parents and carers on low incomes with children who are self-isolating, will continue to be supported.

As restrictions relax, I know many people in Wrexham who were previously shielding may be feeling anxious or worried. I want to make it clear you have not been forgotten. The Welsh Government has stated it will not be abandoning all the measures which have helped keep us all safe. Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton will be writing to all those who were shielding with advice for the weeks and months ahead.

Last week marked the start of the summer holidays and with news North Wales is among the most popular destinations for holidaymakers, it is more important than ever everyone gets vaccinated to not only help protect themselves, but also their loved ones and the wider community. Latest figures show over 91% of eligible adults in North Wales have had their first dose and 75% have been fully vaccinated with both doses. Getting your first or second jab is easier than ever. You now only have to wait six weeks between jabs and you can book a convenient date, time and location via Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s online booking service. Glyndwr University’s Catrin Finch Centre is also accepting walk ins without appointments where supply allows. All you need to do is turn up between 9am – 6pm Tuesday – Sunday during July. Further details can be found online but if constituents have any issues, please do not hesitate to contact me via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.