March 20, 2020
It was announced last week that any workers who are advised to self-isolate for reasons related to Covid-19 (whether because they have symptoms, or someone in their household has had symptoms, or they are in a vulnerable category) will now be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The payment of SSP usually requires a “fit note” to be produced by a GP; this will no longer be necessary with the issuing of the new “isolation notes”.
In coronavirus-related cases, SSP will now be available from the first day of absence, rather than the fourth day as is usual. However, workers can still self-certify their absence for the first 7 days of absence before they will be required to produce a fit note or isolation note to their employer.
Isolation notes will be issued to workers by email, or can be issued to a friend or relative (or sent directly to their employer) if they do not have access to email.
It is anticipated that these isolation notes will be available very shortly through the NHS website or 111 Online.
