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Community pharmacies in Scotland can apply for exemption from self-isolating

The Scottish government has allowed community pharmacies to apply for exemption from self-isolating under the health category in the Critical National Infrastructure.

To request an exemption, organisations should send an email at covid19outbreakmanagement@gov.scot with the name of the organisation, mention the sector under the critical national infrastructure along with the evidence of how self-isolation is currently impacting your critical functions and services, including the quantitative impact.     


Exemptions only apply to staff who have agreed to return to work, following a risk assessment of their personal circumstances. The employers’ duty of care to all employees must be respected.

Strict criteria must be met before a staff member who is in close contact with a positive case can return to work. Staff must:

  • have had their second Covid-19 vaccination more than 14 days before
  • have a vaccine certificate to show they are fully vaccinated (you can request a copy of your vaccination status at the NHS Inform website).
  • not have symptoms of Covid-19
  • have evidence of a negative PCR test
  • take daily lateral flow tests for up to 10 days after being exposed to the virus
  • fully comply with any PPE requirements, hand hygiene, and other infection control measures

Staff who cannot reasonably isolate from ongoing exposure to a Covid-19 positive household member will not usually be asked to return to work.

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