To ALL EMPLOYEES
Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020
As you will be aware, the Government has introduced new legislation relating to self-isolation in COVID-19 situations.
It is now a criminal offence not to self-isolate in the following circumstances:
- You have symptom of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste)
- You have tested positive for coronavirus – this means they have coronavirus
- You live with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive
- Someone in your support bubble has symptoms or has tested positive
- You have been told to self-isolate at NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app
- You arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk
You only need to self-isolate if the above apply to you. You do not need to self-isolate unless told to do so by the NHS Covid-19 app or the NHS Trace and Trace Service. However, if you have, or think you may have, been in contact with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19, you must maintain scrupulous social distancing and other measures such as frequent hand washing and use of appropriate antibacterial gel. Detailed information is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person#:~:text=Self%2Disolation%20guidance.,friends%20and%20the%20NHS.
It is an offence for us to request or allow you to attend the workplace if you are required to self-isolate. You may work from home if you are able to do so and provided that you are not unwell.
If you are self-isolating you must provide us with a, NHS self-isolation note which you can get via https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
If you are unwell and unable to work or you are unable to work from home, you will be eligible for statutory sick pay.
If you are self-isolating but working from home, you will be paid as normal for the hours you work. If you are currently on flexible furlough and therefore work some but not all of your hours you will be paid for hours worked and furlough rate for hours not worked. You may be required to submit a timesheet to verify hours worked and hours furloughed. If you become unwell and are unable to work (even flexibly) you will be entitled to statutory sick pay.
It is now an offence not to inform us if you have been told to self-isolate. If you have been told to self-isolate and you fail to inform us, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including your dismissal for gross misconduct.
These are worrying times for everyone and we must all ensure that we follow the Government requirements to protect ourselves and our colleagues.
