New Coronavirus Regulations

We are swamped with coronavirus information now but there is something important in the new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 which all employers need to know.

The regulations set out the mandatory periods for self-isolation, and a duty to notify the Government of the names of people in the same household as anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The important bit for employers is regulation 7, which makes it an offence for an employer to knowingly permit an employee, worker or agency worker to attend work when they should be self-isolating.

This regulation covers all self-isolation responses including where the individual does not have symptoms themselves.

So if an employer knows a worker has to self-isolate is now responsible for stopping the worker from working (unless they can work from home).

Any employer who breaches this regulation could be faced with a fine, starting at £1,000.