COVID-19: Staying covered if you get sick

The Covid-19 virus is a health pandemic that has spread around the world. 

For some people, the symptoms are mild. For others, they can be very serious – and sadly, even deadly.

The virus can be passed from one person to another. Therefore, if you do get sick, you must avoid contact with all other people. (Of course, this does not include doctors and nurses who are there to help you.)

However, if you get the Covid-19 virus, you cannot go to work. It does not matter if you do not feel very sick. You must still stay at home or in hospital. Otherwise, you will be putting other people’s lives at risk.

Will I lose my job, if I get sick?

Absolutely not. According to the law, you cannot get fired for getting the Covid-19 virus.

If I get the Covid-19 virus while on duty, will I have to take sick leave?

You will have to stay at home or in hospital, but you will not have to take the time off as sick leave.

The Compensation for Injury and Occupational Diseases (COID) Act is a law that allows you to claim for money lost if you have been unable to work because of an illness. The illness has to be one that you contracted (got) while on duty at work.

If you are part of what the government considers essential services, you are expected to work during the lockdown. 

However, if you get sick while on duty during this time, you will not be expected to take normal sick leave. Instead you will be able to claim through the COID law.

If you are not part of essential services but also contracted the virus while on duty before the lockdown began, you are also not required to take normal sick leave. Instead, you too can claim through the COID law.

I have the Covid-19 virus. However, I did not get it while at work. Will I now have to take sick leave?

Yes. If you contracted the Covid-19 virus – but it was not at work or while completing your work duties – you will have to take normal sick leave.

However, in order to take official sick leave, you must go to a health professional and be specifically tested for the Covid-19 virus. If you are diagnosed as having the virus, you must then get an official medical letter that books you off from work while you recover.

If you do not have any sick leave left, you can take annual leave. If you have neither sick nor annual leave, then you will have to take unpaid leave.

However, if you to take unpaid leave, you will be able to claim from the UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund). The UIF will pay you back a certain percentage of your salary from while you were ill.

If you do not have the Covid-19 virus but you have had to self-quarantine, then you will have to take annual leave. If you do not have any annual leave left, you will have to take unpaid leave.

The government is making changes all the time to the law around the issues of employment and the effect of Covid-19. We will keep you up-to-date as this happens.

Remember Legal&Tax is your companion through these difficult times. If you are unsure about any of these changes, contact us for expert advice.

With Legal&Tax you’re not alone

Remember Legal&Tax is your companion during through the lockdown. Contact us for expert advice about the your labour rights during this uncertain time. We are in this together and want to help you keep safe and make sure you are treated fairly.

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