LFD tests are very effective at identifying people who have high levels of coronavirus and are more likely to transmit the infection to others, even if you have no symptoms. It is therefore highly recommended to perform daily LFD tests during the period when you are most at risk of self-infection. Note that a negative PCR test does not preclude the need to complete the full 10-day self-isolation period. A regular LFD test is not recommended for children under 5 years of age. If they live with someone with COVID-19, they are not legally required to self-isolate, but you should limit their contact with people who are at a higher risk of serious illness if they are infected with COVID-19. Employees who are required by law to self-isolate due to COVID-19 are eligible for the PHC for each day of work missed during their self-isolation period, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The legal obligation to self-isolate does not apply if you have received a notification from the NHS COVID-19 app, but we encourage you to do so anyway. We also found that younger people who were told to self-isolate after being “pinged” were more likely to test positive than older age groups. And we found that unvaccinated participants were much more likely to test positive for COVID when “pinged” than partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated users. Even if your employer or agency doesn`t have a policy, it`s a good idea to tell them and isolate yourself so you don`t spread the coronavirus to the people you work with.
Throughout the UK, you will need to self-isolate as soon as symptoms develop or, if you have no symptoms, if you get a positive PCR test. Employees do not need to inform you if they are in contact with a positive case, but are exempt from self-isolation. Employers are not expected to verify whether a person is exempt from self-isolation. If someone you live with develops symptoms during your period of isolation, they should self-isolate. You and your household should follow the Stay Home guide. You could be fined if you don`t stay home and self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, or if you are a contact of someone who tests positive and you are informed by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate. It is also a criminal offence to knowingly provide false information about your close contacts with NHS Test and Trace. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in a fine of up to £10,000. These provisions apply only in England. Persons identified as contact persons are not obliged to self-isolate if one of the following conditions applies: if one of your employees is informed that they are legally required to self-isolate via NHS Test and Trace and that they must work in a place other than their place of self-isolation, they are legally obliged to inform you as soon as possible, before going to work next time.
Otherwise, a fixed fine of £50 may be imposed on the employee. Businesses should also remember that the rules of self-isolation will change from August 16. As of this date, it is currently suggested that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19. They only need to do this if they themselves are symptomatic or have tested positive. The rules surrounding the app contrast with those of the NHS Test and Trace Contract Tracing system, where a person is required by law to self-isolate when contacted. Nearly eight in ten people (79%) have correctly chosen this situation as a legal requirement, but 7% of people think this is not the case. If an employee tests positive for a self-reported LFD test, they must report the result, self-isolate, and follow instructions to stay home. You do not need to do a PCR follow-up test. They also break the law if you don`t isolate yourself when NHS Test and Trace says you need to – for example, when they call you or send you a text message.
This does not include receiving a message or “ping” from the NHS COVID-19 app. Boris Johnson, who is currently isolating himself after contacting Health Secretary Sajid Javid, admitted “the inconvenience of being pinged” and apologised to businesses for the chaos and confusion. However, he reiterated that isolation will remain “a very important part of our COVID arsenal” until the UK switches to a system based on contact testing rather than contact isolation. If you have to self-isolate and work outside the place where you are isolating yourself, you must inform your employer. If you don`t, you risk receiving a fixed fine of £50. What if you or someone you employ needs to self-isolate?.