Community pharmacy staff in England could be permitted to work instead of self-isolating

Under new government guidelines, community pharmacy staff in England could be permitted to work instead of self-isolating when identified as a nearby contact of someone with COVID-19.

Despite this, before returning to work, staff must ensure they have a government letter authorising their exemption.

Under the requirements for the exemption, staff members must have a negative polymerase chain reaction test and be doubled vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to work.

In addition, before starting work each day during the isolation period, staff must ensure they take daily lateral flow tests, with negative results. Furthermore, they must self-isolate when not at work.