Critical NHS frontline staff in Milton Keynes can avoid self-isolation and attend work if they are double jabbed

    From today (19/7), some fully-vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff who have been told to self-isolate will be able to return to work.

    This measure will apply to NHS staff in "exceptional circumstances" to help alleviate pressure on healthcare and social care services.

    In these cases, self-isolation will be replaced by regular testing mitigations. Staff members will only be able to work if they have had a negative PCR test and they must continue to take daily negative lateral flow tests for a minimum of seven days, and up to 10 days or completion of the identified self-isolation period.

    The Government says this change applies only to frontline NHS and social care staff where their absence may lead to a "significant risk of harm".

    The decision to allow NHS and social care staff to attend work after being told to self-isolate should be made on a case-by-case basis, and only after a risk assessment by the organisation’s management.

    This must be authorised by the organisation’s local Director of Infection Prevention and Control, the lead professional for health protection, or the Director of Public Health relevant to the organisation.

    Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "As we learn to live with this virus, it’s important that we ensure frontline staff can keep providing the best possible care and support to people up and down the country.

    "The government has backed healthcare services at every turn through this global pandemic and these new rules will fortify our collective defences against this awful virus, by allowing fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff to continue to work when needed."

    Staff who are permitted to attend work will remain under a legal duty to self-isolate as a close contact when not at work but will be considered to have a "reasonable excuse" under the Self-Isolation regulations to leave self-isolation to attend work where their absence could result in harm. They will continue to receive self-isolation reminders.

    There will not be exemptions for other key workers, such as supermarket workers, at this time.

    From 16th August, people will be able to use tests to avoid having to isolate for 10 days if they get negative results.

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