What if an Employee is contacted via NHS Test and Trace?
If an employee is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, they are advised to self-isolate for 14 days (from the date of which they were last in contact with the infected person) as they would have been in close contact with someone that has tested positive. The employee would also need to contact anyone who they have recently been in contact with to let them know about their alert from Test and Trace.
What if an Employee tests positive?
If an employee tests positive, the NHS Test and Trace app will notify their close contacts and will tell them to self-isolate. The employee will then need to isolate themselves for 10 days, however those people that have been in close contact with the employee, will need to self isolate for 14 days. You should also ensure that you continue to communicate with the employee, provide your support, and allow them to work from home if they can.
What someone who I live with is showing symptoms?
The employee must tell their employer as soon as reasonable practical to do so. The employee must self isolate until the test results have been issued. Should the tests results be negative, the employee can return to work as normal. Should the test results be positive, the employee should self isolate for 14 days from the first day the other person developed symptoms.
Should I communicate with the rest of the workplace?
You should not share the identity of the employee that has tested positive with any of the other employees. If any of the other employees in the workplace have symptoms or are a member of the same household of someone who has tested positive or has symptoms, then they should get a test and self-isolate until the test results have been received.
What measures should be put in place to reduce the risk of infection?
A risk assessment should be carried out to ensure that the company is still COVID Secure and the measures are still suitable. The risk assessment should be shared with with your employees and encourage everyone to play their part to remain COVID secure.
What is an Employee entitled to if they need to self-isolate?
If an employee must self-isolate, they are entitled to SSP (Statutory Sick Pay). This means that they will get paid for every day that they are in self-isolation, as long as they meet the eligible conditions.
What if there are multiple cases in the workplace?
If there are multiple cases within the workplace, you should contact the public health authority and report the outbreak. Ensure you arrange a deep clean of building. Revisit your risk assessment and understand if the risks have changed. Communicate to your employees, provide reassurance and should they develop any symptoms to ensure they get a test and self isolate.
If any other employees have tested positive for COVID-19, should I get tested and self-isolate?
If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive in the workplace, you do not need to get a test if you have not developed any symptoms however, if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive then you should self-isolate for 14 days prior to the last time that you were in contact with them. Also, if you do not have symptoms, the rest of your household does not need to self-isolate with you but they should take extra care to follow the guidance of social distancing, handwashing etc. If you develop symptoms during isolation, everyone in your household should self-isolate and you should arrange to get tested via the NHS.UK website or contact NHS on 119 via telephone.
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