The government has extended the time period that employees can self-certify sickness from 7 days to 28 days, as it attempts to relieve pressure on vaccination centres and GP Surgery’s delivering the Covid-19 booster rollout.
This is in place from 10th December until 27th January 2022. If workers are ill for more than 28 days then they need to visit their GP. Whilst employers cannot insist on sick notes for non-Covid related absences until the 28 days is reached, employers can still request that employees provide proof of positive tests for absences that are Covid-19 related.