COVID-19: No decision on UK's universal payment scheme for coronavirus patients

With a clampdown until February half-term to suppress transmission of mutant strain of coronavirus, UK government's anuncement of 500 pounds ($683) payment to cover covid positive individuals remains unverified, as of January 22. Environment Minister George Eustice told UK media outlets that financial assistance scheme planned by Boris Johnson ministration, that might incur government an estimated 453 million pounds as cited by UK newspapers, has t been decided on yet. 

However, according to several local media reports, some coronavirus patients across UK on low ws have alrey received checks worth 500 pounds. UK’s government, earlier this year, anunced £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs amid stringent lockdown measures. Chancellor Rishi Sunak anunced a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 following UK PM’s orders that all business except pharmacies and essential goods store will be closed until at least mid-February. Johnson ded that ministration might provide cash on a per-property basis to financially support 600,000 businesses across country, and swing checks for those that are impacted by restrictions to control virus. 

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Might incur 'hefty costs'

According to a Downing Street release, government suggested that it will roll out welfare benefits for those under isolation due to COVID-19. But an official policy paper, accessed by Guardian, cited ministration as planning to provide universal payments to all those that contract SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, this might incur government hefty costs, according to a report in Guardian. Speaking to press,  minister George Eustice said that decision about scheme is yet to be me. Meanwhile, in a statement, chancellor Sunak said: “We’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and we’re anuncing a furr cash injection to support jobs until Spring.” He, however, didn’t disclose details of universal pay plan under review by UK ministration. 

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