They should still isolate?

[HIITPrincess]

My partners boss has rang him, they are key workers working in the drainage industry and someone he worked with last week has tested positive for covid.

His boss has told him he needs to get a test today (he's on annual leave today anyway) and come back to work if it is negative.

Am I right in thinking this advice is wrong and he should isolate for 2 weeks from the date he last saw the positive person? And taking a test is not necessary unless he develops symptoms?

All the engineer who have been teamed up with him have been told the same. Get tested then come to work.

You're quite right - no point in a test until you develop symptoms. If he was in close contact with the person then I think track and trace should contact him?

They obviously just want their workforce back in - they really shouldn't be giving out this advice.

Hi OP

Yes they should all isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the colleague who tested positive (providing the contact was for 15 minutes or more, at close quarters, and without PPE). They should not get tested unless they have one of the three main symptoms, but probably wouldn't be able to get a test anyway if they don't have symptoms -- unless as key workers they have freer access to testing?

Even if they get tested and are negative they should not go straight back to work because they could still be incubating the disease until the 14 day incubation period has passed.

All this info is on the NHS website, so your partner could forward his boss the link. I understand it's hard though because he's probably afraid of losing his job if he challenges his boss...

Was you dh in contact in the 48 hours before symptoms started? If not, then he isn't counted as a close contact. It is totally wrong info to get a test and come back if it's negative - if he was a close contact then its 14 days isolation regardless of a negative test

Thanks that's what I have told him. He will take that info to his boss.