Isolating pupils will still receive free school meals
PUPILS who are shielding or who have to self-isolate will continue to receive free school meals if they are entitled to them, the Welsh Government has announced.
More than 1,000 pupils and staff across Wales have been told to self isolate after coming into close contact with a positive coronavirus case.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams said at least £420,000 is being made available immediately to support local authorities help deliver free meals to children who can’t make it to school.
She said: “It is vital that children who receive free school meals are able to continue to benefit from this support whether they are in school or at home because they are shielding or selfisolating.
“We have worked tirelessly this year to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the countless challenges it has presented but we have not, and will not, forget those for who school is about far more than education.”
Free school meal provisions have continued throughout the pandemic in Wales, including after the closure of schools in March and through the summer holidays.
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “Ensuring children can continue to receive free school meals whether they are physically in a school building or not has been a priority for the Welsh Government and this announcement reconfirms this commitment.”
So far 19 of Wales’ 22 councils have confirmed coronavirus cases in their schools. Schools do not have to close if a case of coronavirus is confirmed, but have to follow protocols set out in Welsh Government reopening guidance.
Speaking at a coronavirus briefing on Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford said that of 99 schools and colleges in the country, a total of 66 pupils and 63 members of staff have received a positive test result for coronavirus since instruction has resumed.
He added that there is no evidence of intra-school transmission in Wales so far.
“All those cases so far are cases where the person has contracted the virus outside the school, not inside the schools,” he said.
The Welsh Government has routinely said keeping schools open was a top priority heading into the autumn and winter, when cases are expected to rise.