New guidance on what to do if you test positive for Covid-19 kicks in today, as there is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate for those who get the virus.
The guidelines, which replaced the rules requiring people to stay at home if they test positive, still advise those with coronavirus to stay home and not to go to work.
But those who do not go to work and can not work from home will no longer get financial help to stay at home other than a maximum of £96.35 a week through Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), which may be as little as £38 for a week from next month, due to the incoming end of 'day one' SSP payments.
Read more: All the Covid rule changes happening today
From today, there are no more self-isolation payments available from the Government. Previously, those who had to self-isolate and could not work from home could get up to £500 in support.
The rule change leaves low-income employees, 'zero hours' workers, and those who don't qualify for sick pay through their employer with a "difficult choice" if they do come down with Covid, says the Trade Unions' Congress (TUC).
"If they have got Covid they want to be able to stay at home without facing a terrible choice about whether that means losing income for a week and they want to keep their colleagues safe and the other people they work with safe too," Kate Bell, of the TUC, told BBC.
"That shouldn't be a choice that people are forced to make on their own."
So, what are the rules now, and what do you do if you get Covid?
Covid rules, do I need to self isolate? What happens if I get coronavirus?
As of today, Thursday February 24, people in England are no longer legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid-19 or develop coronavirus symptoms.
Those who have contact with a positive Covid case no longer have to take daily tests or self-isolate either.
The NHS says "While you’re no longer required by law to self-isolate if you have Covid-19 you should still stay at home and avoid contact with other people. This helps reduce the chance of passing Covid-19 on to others."
The UK Health Security Agency says: "There is no longer a legal requirement for people with coronavirus infection to self-isolate, however if you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people."
Note "should" self-isolate, which has replaced "must" self-isolate.
Despite both the UK Health Security Agency and NHS saying people "should" still self-isolate if they test positive, the Government has today removed the self-isolation payment for those who can not work from home.
That is likely to mean many lower-income employees who do not get full sick pay from their employer will find themselves in a situation where they will have to go to work - even if they are suffering from coronavirus symptoms - so they can pay their rent, bills and battle the ongoing cost of living crisis.
People who test positive are advised to minimise the time they spend out of their homes. The Government suggests asking friends or neighbours to do shopping on their behalf.
So if I have Covid I will have to go to work?
Despite telling you that you "should" stay home if you have Covid-19, the Government has today ended its self-isolation support payments of up to £500 for those who get Covid, can't work as a result and don't get sick pay from their employer.
You are within your rights not to go to work if you have Covid-19, especially if you are suffering from symptoms, but whether or not you get paid is another matter.
Those whose employers won't pay sick pay can claim statutory sick pay (SSP) from the Government. That is a maximum of £96.35 a week.
But from the end of March, workers suffering from coronavirus will have to wait until their fourth day of sickness before they can get financial help through SSP, due to the end of "day one" payments. This, the TUC says, will mean workers off for a week may get just £38 in SSP. Those short on money, with rent and rising bills to pay, may be forced to go to work even if they are sick with Covid.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “No-one should be pushed into hardship if they are struck down with illness, but the Government is making it even harder for Covid-19 sufferers to get basic support.
“£38 a week is a pittance for people to be able to survive on. What planet are ministers on?
“If Boris Johnson really wants UK workers to follow the example of Germans and stay at home when ill he should be boosting sick pay – not taking an axe to it.
“The failure to provide decent sick pay to all is a threat to public health and will leave the UK vulnerable to future variants and pandemics.”
A Government spokesperson said: “In the early stages of the pandemic, we needed people to self-isolate while protection was built up through our vaccination programme and we developed a range of new treatments.
“That’s why we made temporary changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to support people to follow Covid rules and keep others safe.
“It’s up to employers to determine their sick pay policies and many employers choose to pay more than the minimum level.
“But SSP should not be looked at in isolation.
“Government support through the welfare system, including Universal Credit, is also available for those on low incomes who need extra financial help when they are sick or incapable of work for longer periods.”
If you qualify for employer provided sick pay through your job and test positive for coronavirus, then you can take the time off as you could with any illness, and get paid.
What do I do if someone I live with has Covid-19?
Again, there is no legal requirement to self-isolate and no financial help for those who do.
The UK Government's advice is:
- minimise contact with the person who has Covid-19
- work from home if you are able to do so
- avoid contact with anyone you know who is at higher risk of becoming severely unwell if they are infected with Covid-19, especially those with a severely weakened immune system
- limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- wear a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in close contact with other people
- pay close attention to the main symptoms of Covid-19. If you develop any of these symptoms, order a PCR test. You are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people while you are waiting for your test result
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