The Scottish Government has published additional advice to employers on the support for employees in implementing Test and Protect, Scotland’s public health approach to break chains of transmission of Covid-19 in the community. It includes reminders of all the measures in place to manage the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which we feel are important to share with you.
The key elements of Test and Protect are identifying positive cases, using contact tracing to identify and contact those who have been in close contact with a positive case and have been at risk of infection, and supporting those required to self-isolate so that they are less likely to transmit to others.
Reminder of key points:
- 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. Colleagues may be identified as close contacts
- Anyone who is a close contact and is self-isolating for 14 days, who then develops 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
- In no circumstances should anyone return to the workplace while awaiting the result of a test (the only exception is those undergoing routine testing through work who do not have symptoms)
The success of Test and Protect depends on the continued willingness of all of us to comply with these measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
Reducing transmission in the workplace
In line with the guidance, we continue to reduce the risk of transmission in the workplace through risk assessments and mitigation measures in place. The Council also supports the process for identification of any employees who may be close contacts of a positive case. This can be in advance of Test and Protect.
Our mitigation measures include the continued requirement for all of us able to work from home to continue to do so.
In our workplaces we have hand sanitising and hand washing facilities available, clear guidance on capacity of communal areas and signage to reinforce and remind all employees of measures in place.
Notification to self-isolate from Test and Protect is issued by phone call or SMS. If you are concerned you have been exposed and feel you should be isolating, but have not been contacted by Test and Protect, discuss this with your line manager who will seek further guidance.
Contact tracing process – Health and Social Care settings
In consideration of mitigations applied by workplaces, contact tracers will apply the following general principles for staff in Health and Social Care settings where infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are in place:
- Staff who have been trained in the use of, and who were wearing clinically appropriate PPE during exposure to Covid-19, should have no significant exposure risk so contact isolation is unlikely to be required
- Staff who have not been wearing clinically appropriate PPE during exposures to Covid-19, who meet the contact definitions, should be excluded from work and self-isolate in line with advice for general members of the public
An individual risk assessment will be required to take risks and mitigations which the workplace and individual have put in place, including seeking assurance of a high standard of training and protocols for the use of PPE. Symptomatic staff must not report for duty, should self-isolate and arrange to be tested
Contact tracing process – Non-health and Social Care settings
Non-health and social care settings where infection control and other mitigations have been put in place, including the use of PPE, an individual risk assessment will be undertaken by the Health Board or Test and Protect team. The nature of contact will be assessed to identify if there is a requirement for other members of the workforce to self-isolate as close contacts.
Where an interaction has taken place through a perspex (or equivalent) screen, there should be a low risk of significant exposure, and contact self-isolation would be unlikely to be required provided that there has been no other contact.
It will not be possible to interrupt every possible chain of transmission through Test and Protect alone. Other public health measures such as physical distancing and good hand and respiratory hygiene remain crucial, as well as all wider workplace safety measures to mitigate against the spread.
Support available to employees
If any employee needs additional support to self-isolate safely then support, including help to access food and other essentials, is available to those who need it through the National Assistance Helpline and can be reached on 0800 111 4000. This number is available between Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm. The helpline will refer you to the assistance available locally. If you have concerns about Covid-19 at work please speak with your line manager.
Protect Scotland app
We have previously shared details of the Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect. This mobile phone app will alert users if they have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus. And if someone tests positive, it can help in determining contacts that they may have otherwise missed while keeping their information private and anonymous.
Reminder of when to self-isolate
You would have to self-isolate if:
- You have symptoms of coronavirus or a positive test result
- You have been informed by a Test and Protect contact tracer that you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
- You live with a person who has symptoms or has tested positive
- You are notified by the Protect Scotland app that you are a proximity contact of someone who has tested positive
Any updates to current service risk assessments, protocols or procedures for individual service areas or schools will be discussed with Trades Unions and local briefings will take place thereafter on specifics for your role.
We will continue to keep you updated as further guidance and reminders are issued, in the meantime please continue to follow the guidance and stay safe.
Thank you
Ann Davie
Depute Chief Executive, Education, People & Business