No covid test? No sickness benefit

Wednesday 30 September 2020

Islanders who suspect they have covid will not be entitled to sickness benefits if they refuse a PCR test without a valid reason.

The new rules will require those who have refused the test to submit evidence via an online form as to why they are unable to take the test, which will be passed on to the government.

Valid reasons for not taking the test include physical conditions affecting the nose and throat meaning the test is 'intolerable', or mental health conditions such as learning disabilities which make physical contact to distressing. 

In a report outlining the decision, which was signed off by the Social Security Minister, Public Health cite the improved capacity for PCR tests as the core reason for the change, stating that they “are seeking to maximise the numbers of people who opt to take the PCR test rather than self-isolation.”

Pictured: If islanders have conditions that make the test intolerable, they may be exempt, but will have to provide evidence in an online form. 

Initially, the scheme had allowed islanders forced into self-isolation to claim 14 days of short-term incapacity allowance regardless of whether they had taken the test, to help prevent workers ignoring the self-isolation rules. 

The change in law comes after it was announced that islanders travelling from ‘green zones’ would have to take two tests upon arrivals, though would not have to isolate in between the tests.