Staying at home

If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started, if you live with others all of you must stay in for a minimum of 14 days. See the stay at home guidance  for more information.

My employer wants me to come in even though I feel ill, what should I do?

Employees are required to take time off work if they are ill. Government is clear that employers should support their staff’s welfare, especially during an extended response.

By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness (that is, employees can self-certify), however an isolation note is now available for people online here .

My employer wants me to come to work. How do I respond when I don’t have a sick note?

Employees must take time off work if they’re ill.

By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness (that is, employees can self-certify), however an isolation note is now available for people online here .

Will my boss believe that I need to be at home? Will it risk my job?

Employees must take time off work if they’re ill.

By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness (that is, employees can self-certify), however an isolation note is now available for people online here .

What businesses have been told to close?

Certain types of businesses must be closed and no one can work in these places, the list of these can be found here .

We have all been asked to only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home). There are situations where it is not possible to work from home, certain construction sites or supply chain services for example, but these must be the exception not the rule. And Public Health England advice on self-distancing must be followed – maintain a distance of 2 metres between one another at all times, and good hand hygiene must be followed.

There are four exceptional reasons to leave your home:

  1.     To shop for essential supplies, as infrequently as possible.
  2.     For medical reasons or to assist a vulnerable person
  3.     For exercise, once a day with members of your household only and maintaining a 2 metre distance from anyone else at all times
  4.     To travel to work if your work cannot be done from home.