If a staff member displays symptoms of COVID-19 or is a confirmed case, the priorities are their own health and wellbeing as well as the health and safety of those around them. The first step is to self-isolate and to seek medical advice for a test referral. Detailed information for staff in relation to the correct procedures in these instances can be found in Office Notice 8/2020 (below).
As with any illness in the context of work, it is essential that a staff member keeps their line manager informed of their situation. This is of particular importance if the staff member has been on-site prior to becoming a confirmed or suspected case*. This is because the COVID-19 Assessment Team will need to perform a risk assessment and organise cleaning of the staff member’s work area. They will also access the staff member’s Daily Contact Logs to establish whether there are close contacts who may need advice regarding self-isolation or restriction of movements.
If a staff member is a confirmed COVID-19 case or they are displaying symptoms and have been directed to self-isolate under medical advice, they are entitled to Special Paid Leave for COVID-19. The staff member's line anager should apply for Special Paid Leave via the normal sick leave portal on peoplepoint - note that there are now dedicated drop-down options for COVID-19 and the special paid leave. Details of special leave are outlined in the DPER FAQs.
Documentation of the positive result and the neeed to self isolate (from HSE/medical professional) are required to be submitted on return to work. In the case that such documentation is not available, the staff member will need complete a self-declaration form (below). This should be forwarded to the line manager for sign off and then sent to local HR.
*For the purpose of this document, 'suspected case' means someone who has been referred for a test under medical advice.
