Updated guidance for English and Welsh healthcare staff with positive COVID-19 test result

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has updated its guidance on managing healthcare staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 test result. Healthcare staff in England, including optometrists, who develop symptoms of COVID-19 are no longer required to undertake a confirmatory COVID-19 test unless they primarily provide direct care to patients at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (as determined by your employer). In all cases, healthcare staff are no longer required to have two consecutive negative LFD test results before returning to work. 

The Welsh Government has announced that from 1 April 2023, routine asymptomatic LFD testing for all healthcare staff, including optometrists, has been stepped down in Wales, with clinically led testing only under specific circumstances and/or settings. Healthcare staff who develop symptoms of COVID-19 are no longer required to undertake a confirmatory COVID-19 test or have two consecutive negative LFD test results before returning to work. 

These decisions were based on the significantly reduced risk of transmission and serious illness from COVID-19 within an increasingly vaccinated population.

Practices in Northern Ireland and Scotland should continue to follow their nation’s guidance on asymptomatic LFD testing and return to work protocols for COVID-19 which remains unchanged. 

Further information on the key changes to LFD testing and criteria for returning to work safely in each UK nation is set out in our COVID-19 FAQs.