The Gwent test, Trace and Protect service continues to perform strongly in dealing with significantly increased case numbers in recent weeks. Since 25 October the team has dealt with over 400 new cases and almost 1,000 contacts as a result.
Self Isolation
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. (Please see section on when to seek medical advice above). You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
• Self-isolation periods are for 10 or 14 days
• Self-isolation is for 10 days if you develop symptoms. People who develop symptoms should request a test. If the test is negative they can stop their self-isolation
• Self-isolation is for 10 days if you test positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms
• Self-isolation is for 14 days if you live with someone or someone from your extended household has developed symptoms. If the person with symptoms then tests negative everyone can stop their self-isolation
• Self-isolation is for 14 days if you have been contacted by Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) to confirm you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Even if you have a test and it is negative you must still self-isolate for 14 days. This is because you are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 and the virus can take time to show in your system.
New Regulations
Welsh Government intends to strengthen coronavirus regulations by imposing a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if told to do so by NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.
The regulations will also be strengthened to make it an offence to knowingly provide false information to the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.
And a duty will be introduced to ensure employers cannot prevent an employee from following NHS Wales Test Trace Protect advice to self-isolate.
Full details of these regulations and further guidance will be issued shortly.
Self Isolation Payments
People told to self-isolate for up to 14 days will be eligible for financial support from Welsh Government.
People on low incomes can apply to receive a £500 payment if they have tested positive for coronavirus or they are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.
And a new top-up payment is being introduced for the social care workforce in Wales, to increase statutory sick pay to their normal wages if they have to take time off because they have coronavirus or are self-isolating.
Full details about how to make an application will follow shortly.
- https://gov.wales/two-schemes-help-people-self-isolate-be-introduced-wales