MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands extends Covid-19 support schemes for two months until September 30

The benefits include employment/self-employment, job retention, unemployment subsidy and direct grant schemes, introduced in response to the pandemic

The Falkland Islands Executive Council approved the extension of the employment/self-employment, job retention, unemployment subsidy and direct grant schemes which were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and are currently being administered by the Treasury and FIDC.

The schemes were due to end on 31 July, but have now been extended until 30 September. A further review of the duration of the schemes will take place no later than 23 September.

The schemes have been extended to support economic sectors which will continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic. In addition the extension will support continuing demand for the schemes where the local hospital KEMH instructs symptomatic individuals and their households to isolate.

FIG will continue to support these claims for isolating individuals, subject to the following:

• The individual meeting all of the relevant Scheme guidelines.

• A check with KEMH to confirm the individual was told to isolate and the period of isolation.

The previously agreed reductions in electricity charges and the three month waiver of service charges, as previously publicized, ended on 31 July 2020.