On 19 April 2020, Government updated Statutory Payments Manuals to provide clarity on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) entitlement for employees that have been furloughed.
- Guidance now confirms that an employee will not qualify for SSP if they are furloughed as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
- Further guidance confirms that for the purposes of COVID-19 cases, medical evidence includes an isolation note from NHS111 if the employee is self-isolating and cannot work or a notification letter from a doctor, hospital or health authority if an employee is shielding and cannot work.
- Further guidance sets out where an employee is sick or self-isolating because of COVID-19 from 13 March 2020, payment of SSP will start from the first qualifying day as long as they have formed a Period of Incapacity for Work.
- Also, where an employee is shielding from 16 April 2020, SSP entitlement will start from the first qualifying day as long as they have formed a Period of Incapacity for Work.
- The Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 have been published and came into force on 16 April 2020.
- The amendment adds a new category of persons who are deemed extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of a health condition and have been advised to follow rigorous shielding measures.
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