Self-isolation advice for staff

Please find the latest information for staff about self-isolation arrangements due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and how St Catharine’s College is responding to help limit the spread of infections. If staff have any concerns not covered by these FAQs, please contact your line manager.

What is self-isolation?

Self-isolation is when you stay at home because you have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps stop the virus spreading to other people.

Do I need to self-isolate?

If you experience (even mild) symptoms, please follow the advice below:

Flow diagram with advice for this scenario - please download PDF for screen-reader friendly version — Diagram/Scenario 1

If you have no symptoms but a positive result from a lateral flow test (LFT), please follow the advice below:

If you are self-isolating due to scenario 1 or 2, please follow the advice below:

The above diagrams are available to download in PDF format, which may be helpful for users with screen-readers.

What should I do if I am a close contact?

If you are in the same household as/recently stayed overnight with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (LFT or PCR):

Stay at home until you have been able to contact your Head of Department or Maxine Flynn, HR Manager (hr.manager@caths.cam.ac.uk) for further advice
Follow all the steps advised by the Government for 10 days after the day symptoms started for the person you live/stayed with (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms):
- Minimise contact with the person who has COVID-19
- Avoid contact with anyone you know who is at higher risk of becoming severely unwell if they are infected with COVID-19, especially those with a severely weakened immune system
- Limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- Wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in close contact with other people
- Pay close attention to the main symptoms of COVID-19. If you develop any of these symptoms, order a PCR test. You are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people while you are waiting for your test result

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (LFT or PCR) but they are not in your household and you didn’t stay overnight with them:

If you are a contact of someone with COVID-19 but do not live with them or did not stay in their household overnight, you are at lower risk of becoming infected.
You can contact your Head of Department or Maxine Flynn, HR Manager (hr.manager@caths.cam.ac.uk), to explain what has happened and confirm what to do next
Carefully follow the guidance on Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread.

How does COVID-19 advice affect sick pay and working arrangements?

In addition to the College's existing Absence Reporting and Sick Pay Policy (2019), you should refer to the following guidance that has been developed to reflect circumstances specific to COVID-19:

Please follow the latest official information for anyone self-isolating. If you are unsure about whether you should be self-isolating, please contact your Head of Department or Maxine Flynn, HR Manager (hr.manager@caths.cam.ac.uk.