Scots workers doing vital jobs to avoid Covid-19 self-isolation

The Scottish Government is poised to announce that critical workers will be exempt from the need to self-isolate if they're a close contact of someone with Covid-19.

It is understood the scheme will cover people working in fields including health and social care.

The plan comes after retailers warned of disruption due to the number of people self-isolating for 10 days after being identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19.

Some health boards have also said they are under pressure amid staff shortages partly due to the number of staff having to self-isolate.

The plans would require workers to meet certain criteria to avoid having to self-isolate.

Daily tests alternative to isolation

Emergency measures are also being announced in England to to protect food supplies which will apply to thousands of workers at up to 500 critical sites.

Under the plan to keep supermarket shelves stocked, daily testing will be offered as an alternative to self-isolation in important links in the food supply chain.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "As we manage this virus and do everything we can to break chains of transmission, daily contact testing of workers in this vital sector will help to minimise the disruption caused by rising cases in the coming weeks, while ensuring workers are not put at risk.''

Plenty of food say supermarket bosses

Retail bosses urged shoppers not to stockpile and said there is plenty of food, but businesses are being hit as staff are "pinged'' by the app or contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Supermarkets such as the Co-op said they are seeing availability issues with some products, but stressed that shortages are "patchy'' across stores.

Priority testing sites - including the largest supermarket distribution centres - have already been identified for urgent implementation this week.

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