Self-isolation no longer a requirement for fully vaccinated pharmacy staff in Scotland

Fully vaccinated pharmacy team members in Scotland are no longer required to isolate and can return to work even after coming in close contact with a Covid positive person, as per the government’s updated policy framework.

The framework has released a checklist for employers on self-isolation and Covid testing requirements.

Following a close contact with a Covid positive, healthcare workers need not self-isolate if they are double vaccinated at least 14 days prior to exposure, had a negative PCR test after the exposure and show no symptoms of infection.

However, those who have a positive PCR test result or declined to take a test and show Covid symptoms should not return to work and self-isolate for 10 days.

Besides, staff need to self-test with lateral flow tests for 10 days if they have a negative PCR test and return to work.

The checklist also states that “staff declining to take LFD testing should not work in patient facing roles.”

It further directs the employee’s line manager to facilitate access to LFD test kits and ensure that the member of staff does not return to a high risk clinical setting.