New Coronavirus regulations place self-isolation obligations on employers

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) Regulations 2020 came into effect on 28 September 2020 and place new obligations on employers in relation to self-isolation.

Regulation 7 creates a new offence of knowingly permitting a worker, including agency workers, to attend a place other than where they are self-isolating.

This affects workers who are self-isolating because they live with a person who has tested positive for Coronavirus, as well as workers who have themselves tested positive.

Workers are also obliged to inform the employer if they are self-isolating and employers who stop a worker from working outside their home.

Employers that knowingly permit a worker to attend a place other than where they are self-isolating risk fines beginning at £1,000.

Link: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) Regulations 2020