Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

673. To ask the Minister for Health the definition of a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the definition of a close contact for cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39803/20]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

674. To ask the Minister for Health the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact in healthcare settings; if the definition changes for different categories of healthcare workers; the way in which the definition might differ from the quarantining and self-isolation protocols for a close contact of cases in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.

The HSE has developed an extensive range of occupational health guidance for health care workers who are exposed to COVID-19 which is available on the HSE website. This includes a detailed risk assessment of Healthcare Workers with Potential Workplace Exposure to Covid-19, which was updated most recently on the 24^thOctober. Details can be found here:

Subject to local risk assessment, the guidance provides for derogation in certain circumstances for health care workers who are restricting their movements due to, for example, close contact with a COVID-19 case and who have been identified as essential to critical service needs. This may also apply to ‘essential’ HCWs entering the Island of Ireland. Details can be found here:

.

Please note that this derogation is provided with the express purpose of ensuring safe staffing levels and should only be provided if an area cannot be staffed safely or a critical skill set to provide critical/essential services is unavailable.