People who are on low income and are self-isolating because of the Covid-19 pandemic may be entitled to £500 in support payments from Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The rate of infection across the county is now rising faster than in many other parts of the country and there has been an increase in the number of positive confirmed Covid-19 cases in Newark and Sherwood.

The Government has stated that self-isolation is one of the most powerful tools for controlling the transmission of Covid-19, and this new Test and Trace Support payment of £500 will help support the most vulnerable in the community.

Payments are available to those required to self-isolate by the NHS and are unable to work from home and would suffer financial hardship because they are not being paid or their pay has been reduced.

The council said it had worked quickly to set up the self-isolation support scheme and it’s now live on its website here.

Those who had to self-isolated from Monday 28th September will receive backdated payments. Those wanting to claim on the scheme can log on to the website and apply for the scheme there.

To verify claimants, the council will use the NHS Test and Trace Eligibility Checker to ensure that those applying are registered with the NHS. The NHS will then confirm the date they started to isolate.

Coun David Lloyd, leader of the district council, said: “There’s been a sudden and significant increase in Covid-19 cases over the past few days and this is a huge cause for concern. As a district, we managed to contain our local outbreak in August this year. We all took action and did what was needed to be done.

“The latest tier two restrictions will not be easy for anyone but making sure to self-isolate if you’re showing symptoms is so important. This new scheme should encourage those who may be on lower income to self-isolate if they have to and it will support them financially.

“We cannot lose any more loved ones to this virus and we must act now. We are facing a critical point in controlling the spread of the virus as we head towards winter and we just have to keep going. We have to continue to work together by sticking to all the rules to stop the spread and protect the people of Newark and Sherwood.”

“We’re at a critical time in the pandemic and self-isolating if you’re showing signs of Covid-19 is vital in ensuring we reduce the number of infections in the area. We’d like to remind people that it is now law to stay at home when self-isolating and we encourage everyone in the area to follow the latest guidance.”

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