To not want to go into work

[Zararose9x]

So I work in a school in the morning and some where else in the evenings to make up money ect.

At the start of the week a few staff members tested positive for COVID, a year group and various members of staff were told to self isolate for 2 weeks.

Today a member of staff in my class tested positive for COVID and the class and myself were sent home and told to self isolate for 2 weeks. I haven’t had that much close contact with the staff member that tested positive but obviously have with the children.

The problem I have is the my other place of work has said I still need to come in until I am contacted by track and trace. I explained the situation but they were firm on coming in until I have been contacted by track and trace.

I feel like I should be self isolating and I don’t think I will be contacted by track and trace.

The school hasn’t given me much info like I gave them a call for more info and they just told me not to come in until after half term and to self isolate for 2 weeks.

I think you have done the sensible thing in booking a test. Track and trace won't probably happen, given how poor it is.

The school’s policy is more cautious than government advice. You haven’t been in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive, so no need to self isolate.

COVID tests aren’t reliable when you’ve got no symptoms, hence the advice to only be tested if you’re symptomatic.

@HermioneWeasley

The school’s policy is more cautious than government advice. You haven’t been in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive, so no need to self isolate.

COVID tests aren’t reliable when you’ve got no symptoms, hence the advice to only be tested if you’re symptomatic.

If you work in the same classroom how can you not have been in close contact ?

You need to isolate as you have been in close contact with a positive case. If you are both in the same classroom that is surely prolonged contact.

Tell them you'll call PHE for advice and to double check their advice to you that you still need to come in to work. I suspect they won't want you to make that call and name them.

Report your employer for asking you to break COVID rules

You have done the right thing. You need to wait till you get the results.
Your employer cannot do anything to you. You have not done anything wrong. If you do not have a union subscribe to one OP.
A letter from the school should pacify them? Till you get the test results.

I am willing to be corrected, but surely if you have been in the same classroom for an extensive period of time with a positive case then you can be tested?

I thought that too @MushMonster that the guidelines are you need symptoms to be tested but if you’ve been in close contact with someone who tests positive, even if you have no symptoms, you get tested.

Call in sick? Self certify for five days

Well update after I got a test done paid (privately) before anyone moans.

It was negative and the school have told me to go back tomorrow.

No wonder cases are going up. The whole system is a joke.

Your evening employer is correct. If track and trace have not contacted you, you do not need to self isolate.

Your school, like most schools it seems, is making up the rules. You do not need to self isolate because a colleague has a positive test.

@Marisishidinginmyattic

I thought that too *@MushMonster* that the guidelines are you need symptoms to be tested but if you’ve been in close contact with someone who tests positive, even if you have no symptoms, you get tested.

If you don’t have symptoms you shouldn’t take a test. As you go through the process of ordering a test, this is made abundantly clear multiple times. Unfortunately some institutions, haven’t read the guidelines.

@Florencex

Your evening employer is correct. If track and trace have not contacted you, you do not need to self isolate.

Your school, like most schools it seems, is making up the rules. You do not need to self isolate because a colleague has a positive test.

But surely the school identifying cases / closing bubbles/ asking the relevant people to SI, is negating the need for T&T?

This is getting into a huge mess! We do have people at home for close contact!
But well, it is the company's policy anyway, that you do need a negative test to come back. And I just checked the welsh rules, and it is 14 days self isolation for close contact. Some people have manage to get a test, so they can carry on workingvif negative (this is a priority sector, not sure this will make a difference?)