Coronavirus (COVID-19) and requests for fit notes (Med3) 

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Requests for certification of absence from work may fall into five categories: 

 

1. Personally affected – isolating for seven days 

2. Personally affected - remaining unwell for over seven days 

3. Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days as per government advice  

4. At risk group – following government advice  

5. Those in full time education

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1. Personally affected – isolating for seven days

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You should self-certify for the first seven days as normal if you are unfit to work. 

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2. Personally affected - remaining unwell for over seven days

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If you remain unwell and unfit to work over seven days, advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk and complete an online self-assessment. You may be asked to call 111 for further advice on the next steps regarding your illness/ fitness to work. 

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You do not need to contact your GP.

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3. Household member affected – isolating for fourteen days

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As per government advice.

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4. At risk group – following government advice

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GPs cannot and are not the gatekeeper of the statutory sick pay system. Employers are responsible for putting in place arrangements for home/remote working where this is possible. Where it is not, the employee may self-certify and return to work following the relevant absence which their employer may authorise as per government advice. Where they do become unwell during or after this time, point 1 and 2 applies.

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You do not need to contact their GP.

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5. Those in full time education

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There is no requirement to issue certification to schools or colleges to confirm absence. These organisations must work with parents and students to ensure that any absence is appropriately recorded, obviating the need for a ‘doctor’s note’.

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You do not need to contact your GP.

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Employers

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As per the current www.gov.uk S13 Guidance for Employers it should be noted that:

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By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. After 7 days, it is for the employer to determine what evidence they require, if any, from the employee. This does not need to be a fit note (MED3) issued by a GP or any other doctor.

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Your employee will be advised to isolate themselves and not to work in contact with other people by NHS 111 or Public Health England if they are a carrier of, or have been in contact with, an infectious or contagious disease, such as Covid-19.

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We strongly suggest that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advice is to stay at home due to suspected Covid-19, in accordance with the public health advice being issued by the government.