New self-isolation rules still contain inconsistencies - Chamber

Business leaders today welcomed the government 's attempt to address the rise in staff shortages caused by self-isolation - but warned the new guidelines are still “riddled with inconsistency ”.

Changes to self-isolation rules mean supermarket depot workers and food manufacturers will be exempt from quarantine in a bid to prevent food supply problems.

The move comes after a number of retail sector workers were forced to self-isolate, which was in turn having an affect the availability of some products.

The government have now said workers - regardless of vaccination status - could do daily Covid testing instead of isolating.

Up to 10,000 workers are expected to qualify for the scheme.

The new daily contact testing measures are beginning immediately at 15 supermarket depots, followed by 150 more next week, but will not apply to supermarket store staff.

The government has also named 16 “critical ” sectors that can benefit from an exemption from the normal self-isolation rules if a staff member comes into contact with someone that has tested positive for Covid-19.

The list covers energy, telecoms, food production and supply, waste, water, essential transport, emergency services, border control and medicines

However, a number of organisations in those sectors won 't be able to apply for a blanket exemption for staff

Only employees who have received a letter from the government approving their involvement can be avoid self-isolation.

More than 600,000 people were asked to self isolate in the week leading to 14 July - a 17 per cent increase on the previous week.

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Given the rapid rise in staff shortages over the last few weeks, the Government has taken an important step to try and minimise the chaos associated with self-isolation guidelines and the disruption they are currently creating for businesses up and down the country.

“However the eligibility criteria for the critical workers scheme is riddled with inconsistency as businesses are expected to name certain key workers as suitable for exemption and need to prove they are currently facing a major detrimental impact as a result of staff being asked to self-isolate.

“Firms are expected to contact various Government departments and await on approval to join the exemption list which raises a number of questions around how quickly applications can be turned around and the knock on impact this will have on the 'just in time ' delivery of services that many of businesses in these specific sectors specialise in.

“In order to minimise delays and disruption, we would urge the Government to reconsider their exemption categories of staff, minimise the bureaucracy associated with the scheme and make better use of lateral flow testing to stem the flow of the virus. ”