By Lesley Griffiths

MS for Wrexham

Earlier this month, Wales became the first UK nation to stop asking fully vaccinated adults to self-isolate if they come into close contact with a positive Covid case. You now only have to self-isolate if you have tested positive or if you are identified as a close contact and haven't had both jabs. Self-isolating 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 this financial barrier, the Self-Isolation Support Scheme was set up in November 2020 which offered people on low incomes a £500 payment if they were told to isolate. The Welsh Government has now extended the programme until March 2022 and with fewer people now expected to self-isolate due to the change in the rules, the payment available to people on lower incomes has increased by £250 to £750. If you earn less than £500 a week and are asked to self-isolate and can't work from home, you could be entitled to this support. All the information can be found online but if any constituents need any advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Further details have been announced relating to the Covid-19 booster campaign. From next month, NHS Wales is planning to offer a booster dose of the vaccine to those most vulnerable to serious infection. It will be delivered in two stages, with the most vulnerable, the over 70s and frontline health and social care staff being the priority. However, people do not need to worry at this current time. All those who are eligible will be contacted in the coming weeks and further details will be announced in due course.

The Covid booster programme will be co-administered alongside Wales largest ever flu vaccination programme, which is set to be extended to include all those aged over 50 and all secondary school children. This will help improve efficiency and increase uptake of both vaccines. While the overall picture has improved, it is clear coronavirus has not gone away and I am pleased work is well underway to ensure we are prepared ahead of the winter months.

If you live in the Wrexham constituency and there is an issue I can help you with, please get in touch via email: lesley.griffiths@senedd.wales or call 01978 355743.