Medical staff are not treated differently for critical worker status
EVERY application for a critical worker exemption for an essential service is reviewed individually by the medical director or their deputy, the States has said.
Anyone travelling into the island has to quarantine for 14 days if they come from a Class A country, such as the UK, unless they are granted a critical worker exemption.
The spokesman said this was done in accordance with the process and conditions set by the Civil Contingencies Authority.
‘Approved method statements are in place for various categories of workers, which may be adjusted depending on the levels of criticality and risks involved in any individual case,’ he said.
‘The balance of risks versus benefits is always considered.’
Concerns have been raised with the Guernsey Press about how fast medical staff are able to return to work after off-island travel and how swiftly consultants were able to work on and off island.
The spokesman said Medical Specialist Group staff were treated in the same way as other health and care workers.
A successful application has to be made for each individual and an employer is liable to ensure that a person keeps to any conditions. In most cases the essential worker would need to stay in the Bailiwick less than eight weeks.
Critical workers are defined as individuals whose presence in the Bailiwick is required to keep critical services running. This includes people maintaining air and sea links, frontline care workers and those critical to national infrastructure.
Successful applicants must comply with certain restrictions, such as stopping work if they have any Covid-19 symptoms and wearing a mask if within two metres of other people.
