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Original poster

Rules for isolation -covid case at work

54 replies

ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 17:39

Hi all.
I have read the rules many times but it seems to keep changing and can never keep up with it.

I was at work on Friday, colleague came in explaining how she was 'full of cold and can't stop sneezing'. She then went on to say she had loads of family over for christmas, some from London who have almost all tested positive for covid since she had them over. Immediately I'm wondering why she's in work. She is fully vaccinated but am i right (correct me if im wrong!) in thinking that regardless of vaccination status, if you are showing symptoms after close contact with a covid case you should be getting pcr and isolating?

The next day she still comes in and tells us that one of her grand kids is at her house at the moment with covid. She also starts coughing whilst at work and I tell her she needs a pcr. She informed my manager of the close contact and my manager told her all she needs to do is take daily lateral flows as a precaution. I argued against this and said i thought she should be getting a pcr as she has symptoms. I was told to basically mind my own business, stop causing a panic etc as it's probably a cold.

Said colleague tested positive yesterday. I am unvaccinated, I had to spend friday and saturday in close contact with this colleague despite feeling uncomfortable. She kept pulling her mask down and talking. Manager has just told me all I need to do is take daily lateral flows. I always thought being unvaccinated i had to isolate for 10 days? I have no idea what i'm meant to be doing and don't want to put anyone at risk. Currently have no symptoms. Anytime I question my manager she gets really defensive so don't really want to keep messaging her.

Anyone know?
thanks.

OP posts:
Overthebow · 03/01/2022 17:41

Yes if you’re unvaccinated you need to isolate for 10 days. Is your boss aware of your unvaccinated status?

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 17:42

You have to isolate if you're unvaccinated.

Original poster
ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 17:43

@Overthebow

Yes if you’re unvaccinated you need to isolate for 10 days. Is your boss aware of your unvaccinated status?
yes she is aware but doesn't seem to think i have to isolate!
OP posts:
BeLessMe · 03/01/2022 17:44

She should have taken a PCR as she had symptoms Angry LFT are for people with no symptoms.

What has changed
COVID-19 infection rates are very high and the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. The self-isolation advice for contacts of people with COVID-19 has changed to reduce the risk of spread to others.

Anyone aged 5 years and over, who has been identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 and who is not legally required to self-isolate, is now strongly advised to take a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test every day for 7 days or until 10 days since their last contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19 if this is earlier. If any of these LFD tests are positive they should self-isolate in order to protect other people.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

Rules for isolation -covid case at work
BeLessMe · 03/01/2022 17:45

Sorry wrong bit

Contacts who are required to self-isolate
If you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19 and you are aged over 18 years and 6 months and not fully vaccinated, you are legally required to self-isolate. This does not apply if you have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial or you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.

Self-isolation means you must stay at home and not leave the house. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. There is further information on how to self-isolate later in this guidance. Do not go outside even to buy food or other essentials, except in certain specific circumstances. Any exercise must be taken within your home, garden or private outdoor space.

Ask friends or relatives to help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog. You can also order your shopping online and medication by phone or online. Delivery drivers should not come into your home, so make sure you ask them to leave items outside for collection.

Overthebow · 03/01/2022 17:46

yes she is aware but doesn't seem to think i have to isolate!

Well show her the government info that says you do have to isolate?

roseberrycherry · 03/01/2022 17:47

You have to isolate if unvaccinated, it's government guidelines, I would forward your manager the details and inform them you are isolating.

Goldentimes · 03/01/2022 17:47

Yes you must legally isolate

Sunshinedreaming2022 · 03/01/2022 17:47

Are you unvaccinated due to medical condition or by choice? If the first then daily lateral flows, if the second it’s 10days isolation

FawnFrenchieMum · 03/01/2022 17:48

Are you unvaccinated buy choice or for medically unable to be vaccinated?

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 17:50

@FawnFrenchieMum

Are you unvaccinated buy choice or for medically unable to be vaccinated?
It's irrelevant. She still has to isolate.
Original poster
ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 17:51

@Overthebow

yes she is aware but doesn't seem to think i have to isolate!

Well show her the government info that says you do have to isolate?

sorry for sounding dim but is it also correct that i have to isolate from when she had the positive lateral flow before the pcr?
OP posts:
FawnFrenchieMum · 03/01/2022 17:51

@girlmom21 no it’s not, see the copied information by @BeLessMe above.

dementedpixie · 03/01/2022 17:53

You isolate from the last contact you had with her

girlmom21 · 03/01/2022 17:55

Sorry @FawnFrenchieMum!

itsgettingweird · 03/01/2022 17:56

I think you are only legally a close contact of deemed so by T and T.

Otherwise anyone can say they are a close contact whenever they want! (You clearly aren't).

So that needs to be clarified (I'm not 100%) and then you need to ensure your boss hasn't told college not to give your details to T and T.

Exhausteddog · 03/01/2022 17:56

I think she (if vaccinated) would not be required to isolate as a close contact and should just take LFTs daily unless she had symptoms and then take a pcr and isolate until she got the result. She did have symptoms so should have stayed home and taken a pcr.
Im sure you are meant to isolate for 10 days if unvaccinated, if you have had close contact.

3 out of 4 of us tested positive on NYE in our house hold. The first symptom for all of us was sore throats and I have not had any of the 3 original symptoms at all. I've had a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, hoarse voice, headache

Original poster
ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 18:01

thank you all! Will try and figure out what's going on in regards to t&t and go from there.

OP posts:
FawnFrenchieMum · 03/01/2022 18:05

Assume it’s be choice then. Irony at calling people out for not following guidance on isolating and PCRs.

Goldentimes · 03/01/2022 18:07

@FawnFrenchieMum

Assume it’s be choice then. Irony at calling people out for not following guidance on isolating and PCRs.
What's the irony?
Original poster
ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 18:08

@FawnFrenchieMum

Assume it’s be choice then. Irony at calling people out for not following guidance on isolating and PCRs.
Yes unvaccinated by choice but no point going into that as everyone will have different opinions. Hardly irony. Vaccine is choice, the isolation if you have symptoms after being close contact is a rule and it wasn't followed.
OP posts:
FawnFrenchieMum · 03/01/2022 18:12

If the other person is fully vaccinated, the contact part is irrelevant. They should be isolating with symptoms, contact or not.

Here is where the employers and vaccinated employees struggle to carry on while the unvaccinated sit at home.

ilovesooty · 03/01/2022 18:13

You are supposed to be isolating.

Are you able to work from home? Presumably if you can't your time spent isolating due to your choice re vaccination isn't paid, given that you aren't sick?

Delatron · 03/01/2022 18:17

I do wonder how employers are going to manage this going forward. It’s seems very wrong for people who choose not to be vaccinated to keep getting 10 day stints at home. Fully paid I assume. Especially if they are in roles that you can’t do from home.

It could also cause resentment in the workplace for the rest of the employees that have to pick up the slack whilst said well colleague sits at home isolating.

Original poster
ihavenoidea20 · 03/01/2022 18:18

@ilovesooty

You are supposed to be isolating.

Are you able to work from home? Presumably if you can't your time spent isolating due to your choice re vaccination isn't paid, given that you aren't sick?

genuinely have no idea regarding pay. I don't particularly want to isolate as have been enjoying getting extra hours at work but don't want to go against rules hence asking the original question.
OP posts:
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