The government has said that frontline NHS and social care staff can attend work rather than self-isolate with testing mitigations in exceptional circumstances under updated guidance.

From 19 July, double vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff in England who have been told to self-isolate will be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances and replaced by testing mitigations. This will include staff who have been contacted as a close contact of a case of coronavirus by NHS Test and Trace, or advised to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.

Seeking to alleviate pressure on NHS and social care services, the government says that the measure will be contingent on staff members only working after having a negative PCR test and also taking daily negative lateral flow tests for a minimum of seven days, and up to 10 days or completion of the identified self-isolation period.

The government has also stressed that the change applies only to frontline NHS and social care staff where their absence may lead to a significant risk of harm.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “As we learn to live with this virus, it’s important that we ensure frontline staff can keep providing the best possible care and support to people up and down the country. The government has backed healthcare services at every turn through this global pandemic and these new rules will fortify our collective defences against this awful virus, by allowing fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff to continue to work when needed.”