New Coronavirus Regulations

The Government put in place new regulations that came into force as of midnight last night (effective from 28 September 2020) in England.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 set out mandatory periods for self-isolation, and a duty to notify the Secretary of State of the names of people in the same household as anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Employers need to be aware that within the new Regulations is a provision that makes it an offence for an employer to knowingly permit a worker (including an agency worker) to attend any place other than where the individual is self-isolating.

This includes individuals who are required to self-isolate because they live with someone who has tested positive. So if an employer knows a worker has tested positive (or lives with someone who has tested positive), it is now responsible for stopping the worker from working (unless they can work from home).

Any employer who fails to do so will face a fine, starting at £1,000.

Employees should note that there is an obligation on the worker to tell their employer that they are self-isolating and any individual who breaches self-isolation will, normally, commit a separate criminal offence.

We Can Help You

We will be sending out more details on this as we get them and also consider the support available to zero-hours workers and the self-employed.  If you would like any more information, please get in touch with our specialist Employment Law team through this website or by calling 0330 404 0778.

Our partners at Ashtons HR Consulting are also on hand to assist you.

This information is correct at 10am on 28 September 2020.