Boris Johnson has scrapped all remaining covid laws in England, including the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive.
From Thursday, those who contract the virus will no longer be obligated to stay at home.
This also means £500 isolation payments and Day One sick pay will be axed.
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From April 1, people will no longer be able to get their hands on free tests, and there is a a 72-hour limit already in place to stop stockpiling.
The Prime Minister said testing, tracing and isolation cost £2billion in January alone adding: "Those who would wait for a total end to this war... would be restricting the liberties of the British people for a long time to come."
It comes as a survey by the NHS Confederation warns three quarters of NHS leaders in England disagree with scrapping self-isolation.
What was once law has now become guidance, and the Mirror's financial and medical experts have answered common questions to clear up confusion.
What must my employer do to stop me catching covid at work?
Your employer has a duty of care to all employees and must ensure it operates a safe working environment. Employers will have to consider what their position is on Covid positive tests and update policies to take account of their risk assessments.
For example if they have a number of clinically vulnerable staff working for them, the employer may not want to allow staff who test positive to attend the workplace.
If an employer finds one of their staff has covid, should they tell them to stay at home and should they still be paid?
Once the legal requirement for self-isolation changes, it is likely that covid absences will need to be handled in the same way as any other respiratory conditions such as flu and common colds.
So employers don’t have to tell employees to stay at home simply because they have tested positive unless that is in line with the company’s obligation to provide a safe place of work.
This will depend on their covid risk assessment.
If an employee can work from home and develops covid but their boss says they have to go into the office, can they be disciplined for refusing?
If the employer does not think it’s unsafe to attend work and they think it is a reasonable management instruction to attend the office, then the employee could be disciplined if they refuse to attend, unless the government changes the rules on this.
However, employers should consider carefully the reasons someone is refusing to attend the office before they decide.
If some of their colleagues are extremely vulnerable, for instance, they may be required to be more understanding.
If a colleague tells you they have tested positive can you ask them to work from home or ask to go home yourself?
This will depend on your employer’s office policy once the measures are eased.
If you go home without agreeing that with your manager then it can be regarded as an unauthorised absence, and you could face disciplinary action.
If you tell someone else to go home and they complain about you then you could end up with a grievance being made against you and potentially disciplinary action too.
The employer may be prepared to agree with your request and ask the employee to work from home if they can do so, perhaps for a limited period of time.
However there is no legal obligation for the employer to do that unless the government changes the rules or the employer has to do that for health and safety reasons.
If you only have mild symptoms how safe is it to go into an office or other workplace?
Azeem Majeed, professor of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, says: “The question you should ask yourself is would you be comfortable being in the same office as someone who had a positive Covid-19 test the day before?
“Now that the legal requirement to isolate after a positive test in England is ending, employers will need to carry out risk assessments and implement their own infection control policies.
“My advice would be for employers to remain cautious for now and advise employees with symptoms or a positive Covid-19 test to stay off work for a period until we have more experience about the effect of the change in rules.”
I work in a care home. What if I test positive, do I go into work as normal?
Prof Majeed said: “People living in care homes are at very high risk of a serious illness and death if they become infected for Covid-19.
"Care homes should therefore keep appropriate infection control measures in place, such as asking staff who test positive for Covid-19 to self-isolate for a period.”
I have plans to go to the pub with friends but I've just tested positive. If we're all triple vaccinated, can I still go?
Prof Majeed said: “People who are fully vaccinated can still become infected. If you test positive for Covid-19, I would advise not attending the event, particularly if it is going to be in a crowded indoor venue where is a significant risk of infecting others who are present.
“Although Covid-19 vaccination does substantially reduce the risk of serious illness and death, there is still a risk to older people and those who are clinically vulnerable even if they are fully vaccinated.”
Will GPs and hospitals still only see you if you have no covid symptoms?
Prof Majeed said: “If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should inform your GP or hospital before they see you so they can take suitable precautions.
"We are still awaiting guidance for the NHS on how the new rules will operate for them, such as whether face masks will still be required in healthcare settings.
"However, because they deal with people who are clinically vulnerable, the NHS will need to take appropriate precautions to prevent someone with Covid-19 infecting other patients.”
I was told to shield during the lockdowns, and now triple jabbed. Is it safe for me to go to places where people might have covid?
Prof Majeed said: “If you are in a group that was advised to shield during lockdowns, Covid-19 still poses a risk to you even if you are fully vaccinated. You should continue to wear a well-fitting FFP2 mask in places like shops and on public transport.
“Whether you go to places with a higher risk of Covid-19 such as nightclubs is a personal decision that you need to take but I would advise being cautious until infection rates in the community fall further.”
I've booked a holiday but if I get covid and don’t want to travel will my insurance pay?
This will largely be down to what individual insurance providers include in their policies.
It’s unlikely your insurance policy will cover you if you cancel the holiday if you are still fit to travel – unless there are government restrictions in place.
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