Returning university students will no longer have to pay £150 for a Covid-19 test.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the public health regulations and decided that students would be exempted from the three test fees when in the 14 day self-isolation period.

Students are still required to take a test, with escorts of students also being exempted from paying the fee.

Government are advising students returning to the island in need of financial support, such as covering the cost of accommodation, to apply for the Manx Solidarity Fund.

Manx Students Union founder Cat Woolley said that the exemptions for students was good news.

’It’s a great sign - it’s an acknowledgement that education is essential, because when the policy was introduced that students had to pay £150 for testing, it was done on a medical basis and for essential travel,’ she said.

’By leaving students out of being exempted, that was a way of saying that education wasn’t a fundamental thing to be doing.

’As the new [regulation] instruction was brought in on February 4, any students who have returned since then should consider seeking clarification on whether they can be refunded if they had to pay.

Miss Woolley also said that as students need to self-isolate in accommodation on returning, it is still an issue for students.

’This makes coming home pretty impossible for a lot of students, simply because the government isn’t planning on re-introducing the scheme they brought in over Christmas, paying £350 per week for students,’ she said.

’However, the Manx Solidarity Fund is still happily accepting applications for people who do want financial support, so there is somewhere for students to go, but it won’t cover everyone. It is still a bit concerning when it comes to accommodation, a lot of people are going to be left without the option of going home.’