The new isolation and income support system is up and running says Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) macroeconomist Tristan Metcalfe.

Isolation income support is designed to help businesses cover sick leave taken for Covid-19 self-isolation.

It is equivalent to the minimum wage for 35 hours weekly for a maximum of 14 days.

Last month, MFEM attributed delays in businesses getting isolation support to IT system changes.

Metcalfe said the new system is up and running, and some businesses had applied and paid the support for their isolating employees.

“No more delays are expected, the system is up and running now, with businesses applying and being paid,” Metcalfe said.

In March, Metcalfe said the change in IT systems meant developers had to “iron out any bugs” in the new system.

He told Cook Islands News on Thursday most issues had been sorted.

“The team in RMD (Revenue Management Division) and EPD (Economic Planning Division) have been working with applying businesses when they have unusual situations to ensure they receive support under the program.”

He said some businesses who previously applied and didn’t get the support had reapplied.

“If there are businesses who attempted to apply earlier and have not reapplied, they can do so now,” he said.

In a statement in March, MFEM said delays would not affect the eligibility of anyone for the support, “just the timing of being able to apply”.

“Unfortunately, for those businesses that have already submitted applications through the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) isolation income portal, you will need to resubmit once the portal has been reopened,” the statement said.