Further list of Critical Workers who don't need to isolate

[Jellypisher]

The list is way bigger than health and social care services now.

Just tried googling for the list but can't see it. Have you got a link to it please? Thank you!

@Sunshineanddaisies2021 it's on the announcement happening now but it's transport, energy suppliers, logistics, food etc

But he said that it would only be a certain number of people, it's basically the same list as critical workers last time minus teachers I think

Thank you

I’m admin in the NHS and it’s honestly making me want to quit my job last summer having to work while all my friends were on furlough. Having to work in a hot office sweating in a mask when I don’t have to wear it anywhere else and now I don’t even get a break if I get pinged and let’s not mention the lack of pay rise!! I know a lot of my colleagues both admin and clinical are feeling this too!

Also with these rules you have to isolate apart from going to work so what if you need petrol or who drops the kids at nursery etc as being a parent in this is challenging anyway with staggered start times for different kids and having used most my holiday to cover isolation for my kids at various points I just want a break for myself and was actually hoping for a ping!!

@Hulahula86 Would you get paid if you got pinged though? The firm that I used to work at doesn’t even pay staff when they are off sick with Covid never mind if they get pinged.

The issue with this policy isn’t that NHS workers will no longer be provided with an extra paid break if they’re a close contact

@Hulahula86 I notice that you don’t mention the patients? Isolation isn’t a holiday. Also regarding furlough, I felt really lucky to have a job last summer especially a secure job.

As a nurse I worry that myself and my colleagues will be putting our vulnerable patients (and staff!) at risk because we have to go in despite being identified as close contacts.

@Seesawmummadaw exactly. I really worry about our vulnerable patients. I also worry that my workplace is less safe, as I can reasonably expect to be sharing it with people who - according to Boris - are five times more likely to have covid.

Care homes are included in this too, we'll no longer have to isolate if we're 'pinged' (though you were told to turn off contact tracing while at work anyway) and we won't isolate if we're in close confirmed contact with a case outside of work, we LFT every day and do our weekly PCR test.

Alongside visitors that are unvaccinated coming in, honestly I think it's another social care disaster waiting to happen. Homes like mine who've managed to keep it out thus far don't stand a chance now.

I worry for dh (he is a nurse), are they going to bring in psychological care for people who end up passing covid to their patients? Back in January, when he got covid he was the last person to get it after an outbreak in his office. So he had less guilt then (at work at least).

Oh, another thing. Does anyone know if our children would become exempt to? I’m mainly concerned about my single parent aunt. She is a care worker. If one off her dc get covid, her annual leave is finished. Her youngest had to isolate to many times already. She lets her older two stay home by themselves, except when she been called in to pick up her year 8 child two times. Because she works zero hours contract.

@Iquitit

Care homes are included in this too, we'll no longer have to isolate if we're 'pinged' (though you were told to turn off contact tracing while at work anyway) and we won't isolate if we're in close confirmed contact with a case outside of work, we LFT every day and do our weekly PCR test.

Alongside visitors that are unvaccinated coming in, honestly I think it's another social care disaster waiting to happen. Homes like mine who've managed to keep it out thus far don't stand a chance now.

This is scary. I've not been allowed close to a relative in a care home through this. Now that I'm double vaxed, I can see him outside if I wear a mask and sit 2m away and book a fortnight in advance.

I'm laughing at the idea of self isolation being a break from work.

As long as politicians are not on the list, I'm OK with the idea.

@CallMeNutribullet

I'm laughing at the idea of self isolation being a break from work.

Tbh, I’m guessing it depends on the job you have. I0 days off for me would be a holiday even staying inside 24/7 (which have done 3 x this academic year).

Meant a break not holiday - have holidays on the brain at moment as in break up mode!

@Hulahula86 you are just hoping for a holiday FFS, grow up and stop being so selfish. This is not about YOU!

There are tethered horses close to where we live , lots of them !! I could cry thinking of them being tied up in this heat with no water or shelter ! RSPCA apparently can’t do anything , pray for cooler weather for them

Sorry wrong post

Isolation isn’t a holiday it’s a pain in the arse . Honestly people jealous of the furlough jealous of isolating. I’d bloody love it to be on the list of non isolating as I’ve hated it . I can work from home though but I’m fed up of that too . I’m counting down the days till 16th august as I won’t need to isolate if a contact as I’m double jabbed .

If this is the same as what was announced for NHS frontline workers, it is NOT a blanket policy which applies to everyone in those sectors. It would be applied on a case by case basis, in exceptional circumstances such as patient safety being severely compromised by the person not being at work, and in the NHS would require approval and sign off by various infection control people, and I think PHE represetatives at the Trust.

@Hulahula86

I’m admin in the NHS and it’s honestly making me want to quit my job last summer having to work while all my friends were on furlough. Having to work in a hot office sweating in a mask when I don’t have to wear it anywhere else and now I don’t even get a break if I get pinged and let’s not mention the lack of pay rise!! I know a lot of my colleagues both admin and clinical are feeling this too!

Also with these rules you have to isolate apart from going to work so what if you need petrol or who drops the kids at nursery etc as being a parent in this is challenging anyway with staggered start times for different kids and having used most my holiday to cover isolation for my kids at various points I just want a break for myself and was actually hoping for a ping!!

NHS admin. If we have to isolate we work from home, no break involved! How do you get away with not doing? 😂

I agree though masks only 30 degree heat yesterday in a sweaty office was horrendous.

@CallMeNutribullet

I'm laughing at the idea of self isolation being a break from work.

Me too!

This is what I posted on another thread

Is this what you are talking about?
www.gov.uk/government/news/frontline-health-and-care-staff-can-work-rather-than-self-isolate

If so, it says this:
The government is clear the change applies only to frontline NHS and social care staff where their absence may lead to a significant risk of harm.

The decision to allow NHS and social care staff to attend work after being told to self-isolate should be made on a case-by-case basis, and only after a risk assessment by the organisation’s management.

This must be authorised by the organisation’s local Director of Infection Prevention and Control, the lead professional for health protection, or the Director of Public Health relevant to the organisation.

So sounds like it isn't just a blanket policy for the whole of the NHS.

I am a nurse in the NHS. Yesterday my trust announced that despite these changes made by the government we would still be following the original policy and anyone ‘pinged’ or identified as a close contact will still have to isolate.

I agree though masks only 30 degree heat yesterday in a sweaty office was horrendous

This applies to everyone working in offices though, key workers or not.

A lot of NHS staff have already been making their staff go in unless PCR negative in the second wave as well.

And all the NHS staff I know aren't using the bloody app - though now I am wondering if it is actually going to be made enforceable to isolate when pinged by it.