LTB 333/21 - ****COVID-19 Close Contact Self Isolation Rule Changes**** V9 9 Sept

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-333-21-covi ... e-changes/

LTB 333/21 – COVID-19 Close Contact Self Isolation Rule Changes
No. 333/21

12th August 2021

For the attention of: Postal Branches

Dear Colleague,

COVID-19 ‘CLOSE-CONTACT’ SELF-ISOLATION RULE CHANGES

Introduction

The UK Government for England and devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales have announced changes to the rules and regulations regarding self-isolation when individuals are identified by NHS Test and Trace as being a “close contact” of a positive Covid-19 case.

The changes take place from the following dates:

Wales from 7 August 2021
Scotland from 9 August 2021
England from 16 August 2021

Royal Mail Group have today issued a communication on the rule changes and self-isolation flow charts for England, Wales and Scotland.

An announcement from Northern Ireland is awaited. A copy of the communication and flow charts are attached.

In short – as long as an individual has no symptoms, is a fully vaccinated adult (having had the two vaccinations – ‘double-jabbed’) or is under-18, they will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive although the guidance is slightly different across the UK nations.

Information on accessing a PCR test is available at this Gov.UK Link:
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test ... ppointment

Summary of changes (See Attached Flowcharts for England, Wales & Scotland)

Wales from 7 August 2021 and England from 16 August 2021

You do not need to self-isolate as a close contact of a confirmed case if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are fully vaccinated and 14 days have passed since your second vaccination. Young people under 18 and are exempt under the new rules.

• you take a PCR test as soon as possible (you can remain in work while awaiting the result of the PCR test).

• you do not develop Covid-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop at any stage, you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test, in line with existing arrangements.

Scotland from 9 August 2021

You do not need to self-isolate as a close contact if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are fully vaccinated and 14 days have passed since your second dose of vaccination. Young people under the age of 17 will also be able to end self-isolation if they test negative, while those under five years old will be “encouraged” but not required to take a test.

• you have had a negative PCR test since being advised to isolate as a close contact. (You must remain in self-isolation while awaiting the result of the PCR test).

• you do not develop Covid-19 symptoms. If symptoms develop at any stage, you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test, in line with existing arrangements.

Northern Ireland

We await the outcome of the review on 12 August 2021.

FAQs

What if I have had one or no vaccinations?
You should continue to self-isolate for 10 days and request a test if you get symptoms.

What if I have symptoms of Covid-19?
You should self-isolate and request a PCR test as usual.

What if I test positive for Covid-19?
You should self-isolate for at least 10 days and can return to work if you feel well enough after 10 days.

What if I am already self-isolating?
If you are already within the 10-day self-isolation period, then you should continue to self-isolate for the full 10 days.

Attachments:

RMG Communication on new Self-Isolation Rules. : https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... .08.21.pdf
Self-Isolation Flow Charts for England, Wales and Scotland. : https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... esScot.pdf

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[POSTMAN]

NOTE

Managers should continue to take a supportive approach when dealing with colleague concerns,
for example clinically extremely vulnerable colleagues or those that for various reasons (including
personal choice or for medical reasons) are unvaccinated.

Some colleagues will share their vaccination status, others will choose not to; at present this is an
individual’s choice.

Where a colleague needs to self-isolate as an identified close contact of a confirmed case - for
example, if they are not fully vaccinated or have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and
Trace service - the manager can request evidence from the colleague (e.g. a screen shot of a text,
email, the NHS App or letter).

Royal Mail will support the period of self-isolation through our normal sick pay policy; this
approach remains under review.

We appreciate the effort everyone is making in maintaining preventative measures and ask that
you continue to do so. It is important we all continue to take personal responsibility and make
choices that minimise the risk of infection at work and home. Remember hands, face, space,
ventilation, vaccination and regular testing - let’s take care and protect ourselves and others

[POSTMAN]

ENGLAND

The further change to the rules for England only (as published in LTB 333/21) (This LTB) is in respect of those people who are already or currently self-isolating. The rule now is that people who are fully vaccinated (that is they have had their two vaccinations jabs) and their self-isolation period began before 16 August and was due to end after 16 August, will now be able to end the self-isolation on 16 August and return to work, so long as they have no Covid-19 symptoms. Currently in the other the nations of the UK (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) people should continue to self-isolate.

Under-18s will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive, as set out in LTB 333/21 although guidance is different across the nations.

[POSTMAN]

****Coronavirus Easing of Restrictions Guidance - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers****

Do I still need to self-isolate?

As long as they have no symptoms, fully vaccinated adults (having two vaccinations) and under-18s will no longer have to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid. Instead, PCR tests will be used to test if someone is positive although guidance is different across the nations.

Click here for information on accessing a PCR test. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir ... ronavirus/

The summary of changes communicated for England, Wales and Scotland is here. A flowchart by nation is also available here. Changes are now effective for Wales and Scotland, with changes for England being introduced from 16 August 2021.

Please note the rules in England for colleagues already self-isolating - if you are fully vaccinated (two vaccinations) and your self-isolation period began before 16 August and was due to end after 16 August, you will be able to leave self-isolation on 16 August. Currently in other nations you should continue to self-isolate.

New guidance for Northern Ireland from 16 August 2021 following a review: •

• Fully vaccinated (two vaccinations) people who are a close contact of a Covid case will no longer have to self-isolate

• You will still be advised to take a PCR test on day two and eight

• If you test positive, you must continue to self-isolate, even if you do not have symptoms.

Further guidance and FAQs are available here (Intranet link) and please look out for updated communications as guidance is changing regularly.

Can you still be asked to self-isolate even though you are double vaccinated?

Some colleagues will be asked to self-isolate by NHS test and trace even if they have been double vaccinated.

Examples of this are:

1-Returning from travel abroad from some countries
2-They have a strain linked to variant of concern
3-Due to colleague’s health status
4-There may be other situations which still require self-isolation even after you have been double jabbed.