The Government has announced that we will now be living with Covid rather than attempting to protect the country from a pandemic. This means they are confident the number of infections has reduced to a level we can call it endemic instead ...
This also means that the Government has stopped self-isolation support payments, however additional provisions for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will remain in place until the 24th of March 2022. You should not claim the SSP rebate for covid-related absences after this time.
Those testing positive are now advised to stay at home for at least 5 days and as routine contact tracing also ended last week, it's down to the individual and their own personal responsibility to ensure they don't spread the virus to their friends, family and colleagues. Anyone in contact with a COVID-19 sufferer will not have to self isolate or take daily tests if they are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18.
If someone is unwilling to isolate, it is important to get your policies in place now as to how you're going to manage this and whether salaries will continue to be paid through their illness to ensure they don't feel they have to come to work to ensure they get paid.
Also, remember that free testing ends on the 1st of April 2022 and anyone needing a test will have to pay for them. Again, this may mean people are unwilling to get tested which could spread the virus through your team.
Further guidance will come from the Government about minimising contact with others which will replace the existing Working Safely guidance and will match everything in line with public health advice about living with Covid.
You will no longer need to consider COVID-19 in your risk assessments.
If you feel inspired to find out more about anything I've said here, do call me on 01908 774320 or leave a comment below and I'll be in touch as soon as I can.