Support available for eligible school families who have to self-isolate

Eligible Wiltshire students and their families are being reminded of the support available if they need to self-isolate as a household due to COVID-19.

If a college or school pupil tests positive for COVID-19 this means the whole household will need to self-isolate for 10 days.

Affected families who are on low incomes and eligible for support can claim a £500 support payment from the Government for having to stay at home for 10 days. The information on how to apply is available at .

Claims can only be made up to 42 days after the first day of self-isolation with a support payment of £500, payable in a lump sum.

The support is available as secondary school and college students have been testing twice weekly using LFD tests since their return last term. Over the Easter holidays secondary age pupils and college students have been encouraged to continue to take their LFD tests and report them twice weekly. The regular testing will continue when the summer term starts.

Lucy Townsend, Corporate Director for People at Wiltshire Council said: "Schools, pupils and their families have been amazing at adapting to the regular changes throughout the pandemic. I am sure after the Easter break they will return to school refreshed and ready to study in a summer term which will once again be very different for school students. Students and their families have taken all the challenges in their stride and acted responsibly since going back to school in March. I know this will continue into the summer term."

The Government has also announced secondary age and college students will need to continue to wear face coverings in classrooms, corridors and communal areas at least until the next stage on the government's roadmap, which will be no earlier than 17 May.