Employees returning back from abroad

Employees returning back from abroad

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As rules become more relaxed about travelling abroad and having a holiday, the government has issued new guidelines for travellers returning back to the UK.

14-day quarantine

Effective from 8th June 2020, the government has imposed a 14 day quarantine period for those returning back to the UK from countries with a high Covid 19 infection rates. Upon return travellers will be expected to provide their home address to border control. The Government will enforce surprise checks and if not quarantined, such travellers will be subjected to a fine of up to £1000.

Work from home

Employers will need to prepare for these new rules as it will take employees out of the business for an additional 2 weeks unless they can work from home. It is recommended employers should communicate to their employees how they will manage the 14 day quarantine period. The government guidance remains; only essential travel is to be made.

It is useful to know that there are other industries which are exempt from being isolated upon return from their holidays abroad owing to the huge space and lone working within their workplace such as seasonal (farm) agricultural workers and freight workers. Additionally, those travelling to and from Ireland, Channel Island and the Isle of Man are also except.

‘Air Bridges’

Recently the government has announced a new scheme called ‘Air Bridges’. This will be in effect from 30th June; however no confirmed details of how this will work and with which countries have been announced. Air Bridges allows UK travellers to avoid quarantine rules for countries with low Covid 19 infection rates. More information about this scheme will unfold in the coming days by the government/travel industry.

For other destinations which do not fall under the banner of ‘Air Bridges’, the traveller will be expected to isolate for 14 days and it will be unpaid. No SSP payment would be made. This is simply more of a precaution and a quarantine exercise. If the employee returns back to the UK with Covid 19 symptoms and have been advised by NHS/GP to self-isolate with a confirmed sick note then yes SSP would be applied. The 3 day waiting rule would not apply in this circumstance and the employee would be paid £95.85 per week for 2 weeks. Businesses can claim SSP back from the government through the coronavirus statutory sick pay rebate scheme.

It is therefore advisable that a company policy should now be communicated to all with the above rules to avoid any ambiguity.

For further guidance on how companies can manage employees travelling abroad and the 14-day quarantine period; please call the Quest Cover advice line on 01455852028.

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