To Isolate Or Not? Do Your Staff Understand The New Situation?
At the time of writing, some 1.7 million people are thought to be isolating after receiving an alert or being contacted.
The figures however may be widely skewed and now, one in five users of the contact and trace app have, according to a survey by YouGov, turned off the contact tracing facility. They do this by turning off bluetooth on their mobile phones, which stops the contact-tracing function from being able to collect location data.
If your staff have been Pinged by the NHS Test and Trace app ensure that they understand what it means and what they should do.
The following is the official government guidance.
Users will be alerted by NHS Test and Trace if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The alert will usually come by text, email or phone call. They should then log on to the NHS Test and Trace website, which is normally the easiest way to communicate with each other – but, if not, a trained call handler will talk users through what they must do.
They will be told to begin self-isolation for 10 days from their last contact with the person who has tested positive. It’s really important to do this even if staff don’t feel unwell because they could still be infectious to others. The isolation period includes the date of their last contact with them and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your last contact with them was at any time on the 15th of the month, the isolation period ends at 23:59 on the 25th. Failure to self-isolate for the full time period can result in a fine, starting from £1,000.
At the time of writing refuse collectors and vets have been added to the growing list of those exempted from quarantine.
The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.
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