23/07/2021
COVID-19 AND SICK LEAVE – THE LATEST AS PER THE REGULATIONS
I HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS OR HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.
When you have Covid SYMPTOMS at work or at home:
- The employee is entitled to paid sick leave.
- A letter from your doctor is required.
- An employee must self-isolate for 10 days after symptom onset.
- If sick leave is depleted the employee may claim from UIF as the period of leave is longer than 7 days.
When you have TESTED POSITIVE for Covid-19.
- The employee is entitled to paid sick leave.
- A letter from your doctor is required.
- An employee must self-isolate for 10 days after symptom onset. If asymptomatic – employee must self-isolate for 10 days after positive test result.
- If sick leave is depleted the employee may claim from UIF as the period of leave is longer than 7 days.
- Please note: If an employee contracted Covid-19 in the course of his employment it may be claimed under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). Sick leave will thus not apply. Please note: COIDA has specific terms and conditions regarding the registration of occupational illnesses. It is the employee’s responsibility to inform the employer IN WRITING that he/she has contracted Covid-19 at work. The employee must request that the employer register a claim at COIDA.
o Periods of isolation after EXPOSURE to Covid at the workplace is NOT included as this a preventative measure.
o Only DIAGNOSED (Tested Positive) Covid-19 is covered by COIDA.
When you have had CLOSE contact with someone that tested positive for Covid-19, OTHER THAN AT YOUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.
- The person must self-quarantine for 10 days after last contact.
- Annual leave applies. If an employee’s annual leave is depleted, unpaid leave will apply.
When you were in CLOSE contact with someone that tested positive for Covid-19 AT YOUR PLACE OF WORK.
- The employer must first do a risk analysis according to guidelines for low risk exposure or high risk exposure.
o Low risk exposure:
Further than 1 meter and for less than 15minutes in contact with positive tested person. (With full PPE).
Employee can still continue to work with a mask.
Employee must monitor symptoms for 10 days.
o High risk exposure:
Within 1 meter and for longer than 15minutes in contact with positive tested person. (Without PPE).
Employee must be put on paid sick leave.
Employee must self-isolate for 10 days after last contact with positive tested person.
If sick leave is depleted the employee may claim from UIF as the period of leave is longer than 7 days.
When can you return to work? (If you had Covid-19 SYMPTOMS or TESTED POSITIVE for Covid-19)
- The employee may return to work after the required 10day isolation period has been completed.
- NO further testing is required if the employee completed the compulsory 10 days self-isolation. The employee DOES NOT need to do a Covid-19 test again to be able to return to work.
- If an employee was hospitalised or on oxygen, he/or she can return to work after clinical stability has been achieved or earlier if a clinical evaluation by a medical doctor determines that the employee is fit to resume his/her duties.
- The employee must wear a mask for 21 days. (Wearing of masks is in any event compulsory)
When can you return to work if you had CLOSE contact with a person that tested positive but you are A-SYMPTOMATIC (you have had no symptoms)
- An employee who remains asymptomatic may return to work after his/her period of self-quarantine has been completed.
- NO further testing is required.
Vaccination and Sick Leave
- Vaccination
o Employees are entitled to paid time off during working hours in order to be vaccinated.
o Employee must supply proof of vaccination to the employer.
- Side effects after vaccination
o If an employee suffers from vaccine side-effects the employee is entitled to paid sick leave.
o The employer can request a vaccination certificate, issued by an official vaccination facility or a letter from a medical doctor.
o If sick leave is depleted the employee is entitled to paid time off.
