Last month, we reported on changes to the Government’s ‘work from home’ guidance and its self-isolation rules. This month, we find ourselves needing to update you once again.

A fast-moving picture

During the course of December 2021, due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the Government reintroduced guidance requiring people to work from home where they can. However, a little over a month on, they have now been able to reverse this decision. With this in mind, businesses are now entitled once again to begin to invite more staff back into the workplace. However, employers should still exercise caution and ensure that they continue to comply with government guidance aimed at ensuring that people are working safely during coronavirus. Full details of the government’s guidance can be found via the following link: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19

Don't forget the changes to self-isolation

In a further update to our COVID rules, from 17 January 2022, people who have tested positive for COVID-19 may be able to end their self-isolation after a minimum of 5 full days. However, in order to be able to leave self-isolation at the beginning of day 6, the individual must have received negative lateral flow tests on days 5 and 6 and must not be suffering from a fever or a high temperature. 

Whilst it is now possible that employees can end their self-isolation period much earlier, employers should continue to tread carefully. Government guidance still emphasises the importance of working from home (if possible) for a full 10 days after a positive test. As a result, employers should be slow to insist on (or indeed permit) recently infected employees to return to the workplace too quickly.

Want to know more?

Further and more detailed guidance on the current self-isolation rules can be found via the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection