Self-isolation

NHS advice is that you should stay at home (self-isolate) without any testing for COVID-19, regardless of travel history or contact with confirmed cases, if:

you have a new continuous cough; and/or
a high temperature of 37.8 degrees or higher

If you live alone you should stay at home (self-isolate) for 10 days from the onset of your symptoms.

If you have serious symptoms which you cannot manage at home you should use NHS 111 online (only call NHS111 if you cannot get online)

After 10 days of self-isolation, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to work as normal.

If you have not had any signs of improvement after 10 days and have not already sought medical advice, you should use NHS111 online (only call NHS111 if you cannot get online)

If you live with others and anyone in your house has symptoms of coronavirus (a new and persistent cough or high temperature of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher), then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

During these 10 days, if anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 10 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 10-day isolation period. Please read ending isolation for more information.

NHS advice is that you should stay at home (self-isolate) without any testing for COVID-19, regardless of travel history or contact with confirmed cases, if:

you have a new continuous cough; and/or
a high temperature of 37.8 degrees or higher

If you live alone you should stay at home (self-isolate) for 10 days from the onset of your symptoms.

If you have serious symptoms which you cannot manage at home you should use NHS 111 online (only call NHS111 if you cannot get online)

After 10 days of self-isolation, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to work as normal.

If you have not had any signs of improvement after 10 days and have not already sought medical advice, you should use NHS111 online (only call NHS111 if you cannot get online)

If you live with others and anyone in your house has symptoms of coronavirus (a new and persistent cough or high temperature of 37.8 degrees centigrade or higher), then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

During these 10 days, if anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 10 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 10-day isolation period. Please read ending isolation for more information.

If you need to self isolate (see information above) then you should self-certify in the usual way by:

Telephoning the school on the first and fourth day, or
In line with the schools absence reporting process (though self isolation will not actually be recorded as sickness absence).

You should not visit your GP and you will not be expected to provide a fit note.

For staff having to be out for more than 10 days due to COVID-19, the government have produced a providing proof of COVID-19 sickness absence form.

The school should track the dates of self-isolation and the reason for self-isolation so that the school can know when the employee will be able to work again.

If your symptoms have not shown any sign of improvement after 10 days and you have not already sought medical advice, you should use NHS111 online (only call NHS111 if they cannot get online) before you leave home or let visitors in.

After 10 days, if your symptoms have gone, you can return to work.

If you need to self isolate (see information above) then you should self-certify in the usual way by:

Telephoning the school on the first and fourth day, or
In line with the schools absence reporting process (though self isolation will not actually be recorded as sickness absence).

You should not visit your GP and you will not be expected to provide a fit note.

For staff having to be out for more than 10 days due to COVID-19, the government have produced a providing proof of COVID-19 sickness absence form.

The school should track the dates of self-isolation and the reason for self-isolation so that the school can know when the employee will be able to work again.

If your symptoms have not shown any sign of improvement after 10 days and you have not already sought medical advice, you should use NHS111 online (only call NHS111 if they cannot get online) before you leave home or let visitors in.

After 10 days, if your symptoms have gone, you can return to work.

If an employee is in a Local Authority Maintained Schools and has to self-isolate in line with the national guidance, then they will be paid.

HR is advising Academies to do the same; however, the decision will be for the Academy to decide; the Government’s expectations in this regard are clear. We do not want people reporting for duty if they are a danger of spreading infection.

Staff who are well and self-isolating who can work from home, will be expected to do so to whatever extent their role permits.

If in discussions with the employee, it is unclear whether they should self isolate, then you can ask HR for advice by calling the HR Advice Line on 01452 425888 option 3 or emailing hradviceline@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

If an employee is in a Local Authority Maintained Schools and has to self-isolate in line with the national guidance, then they will be paid.

HR is advising Academies to do the same; however, the decision will be for the Academy to decide; the Government’s expectations in this regard are clear. We do not want people reporting for duty if they are a danger of spreading infection.

Staff who are well and self-isolating who can work from home, will be expected to do so to whatever extent their role permits.

If in discussions with the employee, it is unclear whether they should self isolate, then you can ask HR for advice by calling the HR Advice Line on 01452 425888 option 3 or emailing hradviceline@gloucestershire.gov.uk.