March 20th, 2020.


The government has advised of a new online service for people to obtain an isolation note through a new online service.

For those employees unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus (COVID-19), isolation notes will provide evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.

Isolation notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor thereby reducing the pressure on GP surgeries, and preventing people needing to leave their homes.

For the first seven days off work, employees can self-certify so they don’t need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate.

The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online. After answering a few questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user. If they don’t have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer. The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, said; “It is absolutely vital we do everything we can to ease the burden on our healthcare professionals, allowing them to spend as much time as possible with those patients that need them most.

“Digital isolation notes will provide reassurance to those self-isolating and their employers while also reducing the pressure on our NHS, so they can continue doing all they can to protect the people of this country and save lives.”

The isolation note service has been commissioned by NHSX and built by NHS Digital and can be accessed via the 111 online coronavirus service  or NHS.UK/coronavirus  as well as via the NHS app.

Source: Department of Health and Social Care 20th March 2020.