Today the Government launched the Track and Trace system, in its fight against COVID-19 and to ease up lockdown. An individual deemed to be at risk of catching COVID-19 due to contact with an infected person, will be instructed to self- isolate for 14 days, although members of their families do not have to self-isolate unless someone in the house actually develops symptoms.
As a result, entitlement to statutory sick pay has been extended under The Statutory Sick Pay (General ) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 2020. This means that any employee who is asked to self-isolate by the Test and Trace team, because they have been notified that they have had contact with a person with coronavirus, will be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay at the current rate of £95.85, if they cannot work from home.
In order for the system to work, employers should therefore insist that a member of staff tells you if the Track and Trace team have contacted them. As an employer, you should insist that they self-isolate. This will ensure your other members of staff are not put under unnecessary risk. If they can work from home during the self-isolation period, you should let them do so. If they can’t, they will have to be paid either SSP or contractual sick pay.
For further details please contact ami@travlaw.co.uk
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