New Regulations due to come into force on 16 April 2020 mean that any person classed as extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19), and who have been advised to remain at home for at least 12 weeks will be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The process is known as shielding, and the regulations mean that people are deemed as incapable of work for the period in which they are shielding.

If an individual cannot work as they are shielding due to coronavirus (COVID-19), then they will be entitled to receive SSP for every day that they are unable to work. They will be entitled to SSP from day one of sickness, in line with how SSP will be paid to those self-isolating, or absent, due to coronavirus. Individuals must, however, shield for a minimum of four days to be eligible for SSP payment from day one. Individuals must also meet the other eligibility requirements for SSP.

The changes have been made, as previously those individuals who were shielding were not entitled to SSP, and the amendments are intended as a safety net for individuals in cases where their employer opts not to furlough them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and does not have other suitable policies in place, e.g. allowing the individuals to work from home.

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