OK as always reading all of the above with interest but now trying to work out my own situation. After staying home for over 16 months with no travel to my company HQ in Milan (or anywhere else) there is now a meeting I really dont think will work on TEAMS. I work in clinical trials/ developing medicines which is one of the Covid restriction exempt jobs but I can't for the life of me work out what I need to do returning to the UK if I have been in Milan for a day and a half. I'm happy to take all tests but which, LFT or PCR? Italy allow me in with an antigen test within 48 hours, which may be the hardest part as I live in the sticks. Do I quarantine on return except to do my job (which in the UK is home based). Looking on the GOV.UK website for these occupations (pasted below) I need a negative test to leave the UK but the return is where I'm lost. The guidance seems aimed at those travelling from an Amber list country not returning from one to the UK where I live.
"Amber list countries
Applies if you been in an
amber list country, but not a
red list country, in the 10 days before you arrive in England.
You must
quarantine in the place you are staying. You can leave your accommodation when conducting the specific exempt activity or travelling directly to and from your accommodation and a location for the purposes of this work. You must quarantine at all other times during your stay.
You need to
take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 after arrival in the UK, if you are still in the country."
For other jobs it does say of you live in the UK you do not need to quarantine but not for clinical trial or human medicines related jobs, therefore my assumption is I would need to quarantine. Which essentially is not much exemption. Can I do day 5 test to release? I assume I need a negative test before returning, but would I be able to use the one I used to leave if say I get a test on Monday am, leave Tuesday pm and return Wednesday pm (optimistic I know)? Need to work out so I can provisionally schedule the meeting first then get flights and tests booked.