The government has recently introduced new guidelines on “shielding” whereby those living within the same household of a person who is shielding do not need to shield themselves, but should support the person who is shielding by following guidance on staying alert and safe like regularly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching their face and cleaning thoroughly frequently-touched surfaces. See government guidance here.
Further the government have introduced a new concept called “support bubble” where those not living in the same household can spend time with members of another household as long as one of the households in the ‘support bubble’ is a single adult household (either an adult living alone or with children under 18 only) and all can spend time together outside and inside each other’s homes, including overnight.
Statutory Sick Pay
As a consequence of the above the Government on 6th July 2020, issued further regulations to amend statutory sick pay (SSP) entitlement under The Statutory Sick Pay (Coronavirus) (Suspension of Waiting Days and General Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 whereby a person who needs to self-isolate because they are in a linked household or extended household i.e. a social support bubble with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 then they will be entitled to SSP as being incapacitated from work .
In addition, those notified by track and trace service that they have had contact with a potentially infected person and need to isolate may claim SSP but will cease to be payable if the person with symptoms tests negative for COVID-19 or they themselves test negative.
Shielding
As from 1 August 2020 shielding in England will be ending thus those currently shielding as being extremely vulnerable via a shielding notice can be sent a notice by the health body to end shielding thus ending any SSP entitlement, although they can be sent further shielding notices when required.
As a consequences of the above, those who were shielding will need to follow the same advice as those in the clinically vulnerable group namely social distancing, hand washing, etc but from August, these employees will no longer be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for any further absence from work (unless they are sick or required to self-isolate or have shielding notice).
The above means that people who are shielding and who cannot work from home will be able to return to work provided their workplace can be made COVID-safe. Employers will still have the option to furlough these staff, but furlough payments are being scaled back.
The Government are continually updating their guidance in this area hence situation can be quite fluid and provisions in Scotland /Wales /Northern Ireland may be different thus the contents of this article is intended for general information purposes only and should you require further guidance and assistance on the matter, please contact our HR/Legal advice-line on 01455852028.
