Updated Test & Protect Guidance for Employers
The Scottish Government has today (2nd December) published updated Test & Protect Guidance for Employers.
The key points contained within the guidance are:
- anyone who has symptoms must self-isolate straight away, and use NHS Inform or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange a test
- people who have tested positive for coronavirus must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the time their symptoms started
- close contacts of someone who has tested positive identified by an NHS contact tracer will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
- anyone who is a close contact and is self-isolating for 14 days, who themselves develop symptoms and tests positive, must start a new period of 10 days self-isolation from the date of onset of their own symptoms, even if that takes them beyond the initial 14 day period
- self-isolation may be required on more than one occasion
- NHS contact tracers may require someone to self-isolate even if they have previously tested positive for coronavirus and have recovered
- Staff should, in no circumstances, return to the workplace while awaiting the result of a test.
In terms of need for others in the workforce to self-isolate, the guidance states that where mitigations have been put in place, including the use of PPE, an individual risk assessment will be undertaken by the Health Board Occupational Health Team, or Test and Protect team. The nature of contact that the positive case has had with other employees or customers will be assessed to identify if there is a requirement for other members of the workforce to self-isolate as close contacts.
The guidance provides scenarios on when employees need to self-isolate, as well as best practice guidelines for how employers can support the Test & Protect process and their employees.
The updated guidance can be found here.
