Fully vaccinated critical workers – including in local government – will be able to leave Covid-related self-isolation to go to work in exceptional circumstances, under new plans to prevent serious disruption to vital public services.
As first was going to press, the Government published a list of 16 sectors in which fully vaccinated staff may be exempt from self-isolation if they are ‘pinged’ as a close contact of someone confirmed to have COVID-19.
Such workers will have to take daily tests and return to quarantine for 10 days if a test is positive.
Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Chairman, said: “Councils continue to work hard to try and keep services running as best as possible, while protecting the health and wellbeing of our workforce.
“However, the large numbers of close contacts being required to self-isolate is having an impact on some council services due to staff shortages.
“Directors of public health, working in councils, are already under huge pressure as a result of the need to sign off on self-isolation exemptions for social care staff as well as many daily enquiries from other employers in their local area who believe their staff should be exempt.
“Clarity is urgently needed about what their role will be with regards to the application of exemptions locally while messaging from government must be crystal clear to avoid raising unrealistic expectations. The exemption approval process must also be quick and clear to understand.”
