The Scottish Government has updated the self-isolation exemption guidance for health and social care staff. The revised guidance can be found here: https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/details.asp?PublicationID=7514 We understand that an accompanying flowchart and FAQ document are to following the coming days.
The guidance removes the need for fully vaccinated staff, identified as contacts to PCR test prior to returning to work. They should take an LFD test instead. If the LFD test is negative and provided they don’t have a fever or other symptoms staff can continue to work following a risk assessment by their line manager. They should also continue to take an LFD test every day for a 10 day period.
The guidance also clarifies that staff that test positive should pause their workplace LFD testing for 28 days (from day 1 of symptom onset or asymptomatic test date). If they are also required to PCR test weekly, they should also pause this for a period of 90 days. Please also note that the guidance highlights that the likelihood of a positive LFD test in the absence of a high temperature after 10 days is low, so further testing is not advised, unless they have renewed symptoms.
Jason Leitch joined the COSLA briefing last week. He emphasised the fact that double vaccination + booster remain the best protection against the spread of Covid-19, particularly given the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
He made clear that they are still learning about the level of severity of Omicron. Whatever the level of severity is though it’s certainly not so different that we’d see a sufficient enough reduction to hospital admissions to allow any relaxation of mitigations so all precautions should be followed.
He said that the increased transmissibility and consequential isolations will have a significant impact on the number of people attending work. They are currently looking at absence (through people having Covid or isolating in line with government guidance) modelling in local government which is indicating that up to 25% of the LG workforce could be off work in the coming weeks. They stated that they would be surprised if in a fortnights time local government will be able to provide anything but critical services.
Exemptions
In light of this local authorities have been asked to draw up a list of critically important roles for consideration for isolation exemptions. These lists must be discussed with trade unions and local public health teams – they should not be blanket exemptions but focussed on roles specifically delivering critical services. We will keep you updated regarding this.
Booster uptake
amongst social care workers remains lower than other frontline workers so please ensure any local issues presenting difficulties in staff being able to get their booster are raised with management.
should be actively reviewed by every employer – please check if this has been done and if not please ask that they are. It is not enough for an employer simply to say that they drafted a generic risk assessment several months ago and that it remains relevant. They need to go back over them all in light of changed and strengthened mitigations.
We raised concerns about the impact of tightened mitigations, isolation, the continued uncertainty and concern on the mental health of workers. It was agreed that there will be a refresh of the ‘Don’t stay on mute’ campaign that we worked on jointly with the employer earlier in the year. We will share this when complete.
Ventilation Guidance
CoSLA has put together some good practice on ventilation which you can find here:
The safer workplace guidance has been updated in line with the increased levels of protection required for Omicron. All employers should be following this. You can find the up to date guidance here:
Please see attached SJC-68 – the collective agreement reached on Long Covid. It is important to stress that this outlines the bare minimum we would expect local authorities to be implementing in relation to this – they can and should be encouraged to do more.
This, you will be pleased to read, will be the last LG update from us this year. It has been another challenging year in local government but, whilst we might not have been able to deliver everything we would have wished, we have made real progress in many areas and have protected members in ways they will never know. Lives have been saved and members are better off because of the hard work all of you have done this year. I know it has not been easy but it is appreciated. Thank you. I hope you manage to get a bit of a rest over the festive season.
The First Minister made a statement on the impact of the Omicron variant today. Key points were:
Omicron is significantly more transmissible than other variants of Covid-19.
We still do not yet know for certain whether it is any milder than other variants.
We are now in a race between the virus and the vaccine – additional resources will be put into vaccine and booster roll-out in the coming weeks.
Those between 18-29yrs will be able to book their booster from tomorrow. Those above that age should either have already their booster or already be able to book.
Further protective measures to slow the spread of the virus will be brought in incl extending the workplace testing scheme, measures to avoid crowding, emphasis on social distancing, collection of data by businesses for the purpose of tract and trace, ensuring all who can work from home do so, reinforcing the rules around the use of face coverings and additional guidance on minimising contact with others.
There is an additional £100 million to ensure the Self Isolation Support Grant is available for those who need it, given the expected increase in the number of eligible people who will be asked to isolate.
New guidance for Schools for the return after the Christmas break is being looked at now and they expect to be able to issue by the end of this week.
They will limit the number of people who can visit those in care homes and advise the use of testing prior to visits being undertaken.
For full details of the First Minister’s announcement see here:
We have attached the relevant letter sent by Donna Bell. The change relates to the Covid booster status of workers that would allow them to be exempted from self-isolation requirements.
We also attach a similar letter that has been issued today to local authorities re school staff.
There is a STUC webinar on ‘The Relaxation of COVID19 Protections: The impact for workers and unions’, this takes place on 08th September at 4pm, further information including registration details can be found here.
This webinar is FREE and will be very interesting, if you are interested please book.
Stirling UNISON 