Following our previous communications and given our continuing approach to the recovery of services, we thought it might be helpful to remind employees of the restrictions and guidance that are currently in place in relation to coronavirus (Covid-19).
Firstly, it is essential that any employee who meets any one of the criteria listed below DOES NOT REPORT FOR WORK:
- Employee has Covid-19 symptoms (temperature, persistent cough, loss of taste/smell)
- Employee is going for a Covid-19 Test
- Employee is awaiting a Covid-19 Test result
- Someone in employee’s household tests positive so household is required to isolate
Controlling the spread
Avoiding close contact with people, good hand hygiene and observing physical distance remain key in controlling the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
All employees should ensure they are aware of and follow the Scottish Government’s FACTS guidance at all times, to keep us all safe at home and in the workplace:
F Wear a face covering where required
A Avoid crowded spaces
C Clean hands regularly
T Two metre physical distancing from others
S Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
On returning to work and as services are reintroduced, it is essential that the risk assessments and the operational guidance for each service area are followed at all times. Our risk assessments and operational guidance incorporate the latest Scottish Government and Public Health guidance.
NHS Test and Protect respond to all positive Covid-19 test results and that will include any positive cases in any of our services. Anyone who is advised that they are a close contact of a positive case through Test and Protect and are therefore required to self-isolate for 14 days, must do so to manage the spread of the virus.
The latest guidance issued yesterday confirms that if someone is identified as a close contact through Test and Protect, only that person is required to self-isolate. Other household members do not now all need to self-isolate unless they too are identified as close contacts themselves or the close contact in the household develops symptoms. The Scottish Government website was been updated to remove this previous requirement from the local restrictions pages.
Avoiding Close Contact
In summary, you should do everything possible to avoid being a close contact in work and outside of work of anyone outwith your household.
Close contacts are:
- People who are within 1 metre and face to face with the case for any length of time
- People who are within 1 metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact
- People who are within 1-2 metres of the infected individual for any more than 15 minutes cumulatively.
I hope you find this reminder helpful and that you and your families stay safe and well as we continue to manage the impact and control the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Thank you
Ann Davie
Depute Chief Executive – Education, People & Business
Thursday 1 October 2020