The Welsh Covid-19 Statutory Sick Pay Enhancement scheme, which has provided £8.2m of financial support to the social care workforce since November 2020, has ended.

The scheme, which has ensured social care workers who were required to self-isolate or stay home due to Covid-19 received full pay, was an important support to the social care workforce and to prevent infection of vulnerable Welsh citizens through the heights of the pandemic.

According to evidence from the ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey, the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community is decreasing. 

“We are reviewing the asymptomatic testing of social care staff, and we will make an announcement shortly,” said a joint statement from the minister for health and social services Eluned Morgan and deputy minister for social services Julie Morgan.

The statement, which was issued during recess, added that frontline social care staff and residents in care homes for older adults are being prioritised for the Covid-19 autumn booster, which will be rolled out from the beginning of September: “This will provide social care staff and our most vulnerable citizens with increased protection.”

“As we begin our transition from a period of pandemic emergency response to recovery, it is appropriate we bring this temporary scheme to an end. Consequential funding from the UK Government for the Covid response has ceased. 

“We will continue to look at how best we can promote greater occupational sick pay in the independent social care sector.”