Self-isolation rules are changing in Scotland, but only for workers in certain sectors. Rules currently mean that anyone who comes into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid must self-isolate for 10 days. However, this has caused problems across the board.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Which workers will no longer be required to self-isolate? Workers in the health and social care sectors will no longer necessarily be required to isolate if they come into contact with a positive case.
The Scottish Government will accept applications for exemptions to the requirement to isolate for 10 days from “essential staff in critical roles”.
The same goes for workers in the food and transport sectors.
Exemptions will only be considered if individuals are double vaccinated, can provide a negative PCR test and agree to take daily lateral flow tests.
To apply, people must work in one of the following 13 critical national infrastructure sectors:
- Chemicals
- Civil Nuclear
- Communications
- Defence
- Emergency Services
- Energy
- Finance
- Food
- Government
- Health
- Space
- Transport
- Water
Applications may be made via the Scottish Government website.
Exemptions will be made on a temporary basis and last only for as long as there is an immediate risk to business or service continuity.
The decision comes amid the so called ‘pingdemic’, which has seen thousands of people forced to isolate following a notification from the Covid app.
Numerous sectors have been hit by the ‘pingdemic’ including supermarkets which are struggling to find enough staff to keep shelves stocked.
The Scottish Government has previously said it hopes to limit the requirement to isolate for anyone who is fully vaccinated from August 9, however it remains unclear as to if this will go ahead.
Self-isolation rules are in England
Supermarket depot workers and food manufacturers in England will be exempt from quarantine rules as the government tries to prevent food supply problems.
Up to 10,000 staff are expected to qualify for the scheme, but supermarket workers are not included.
The move comes after the high number of retail staff self-isolating affected the availability of some products.
Which workers don’t need to self-isolate?
Employers in England providing critical services can request an exemption for named employees who are fully vaccinated. The government says it is “not a blanket exemption for all workers in a sector”.
The areas are:
- Energy
- Civil nuclear
- Digital infrastructure
- Food production and supply
- Waste
- Water
- Veterinary medicines
- Essential chemicals
- Essential transport
- Medicines and medical devices
- Clinical consumable supplies
- Emergency services
- Border control
- Essential defence outputs
- Local government
Contact us if you would like any further information on the self-isolation rules changing in Scotland.
