Exemption of fully vaccinated social care staff from isolation - information for providers

The Scottish Government has agreed that social care staff who are self-isolating can voluntarily return to work when necessary, in extreme cases, if they have had both doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

This includes staff who have been contacted as a close contact of a case of COVID-19 by NHS Test and Protect, or advised to self-isolate by the NHS Scotland COVID app.

The policy will apply when a service is facing extreme pressures due to staff shortages and where there is a significant risk to the health, safety and well-being of service users, residents or staff through the inability to meet an essential service.

The guidance covers:

• when the policy applies
• how providers should support staff returning to work
• additional information and documents to support providers and staff
• criteria that must be met before staff return to work

This is a free service.

Social care providers and staff in Scotland.

Visit the Scottish Government website for more information and to read the guidance.