AS of this week, people with Covid are no longer bound by law to self-isolate, potentially leaving workers unsure of their rights.

Neha Thethi, head of employment at law firm Lime Solicitors, says statutory sick pay, introduced at the start of the pandemic, ended on Thursday.

“While those who are infected with coronavirus will no longer be required to stay at home, the government has said there will be guidance for those who have the virus not to go to work.

"However, despite this, employers could still ask staff with Covid to attend the workplace if they are well enough to do so.”

The onus will be on individual businesses to decide whether staff who have tested positive for the virus should attend work.

“From March 24, Covid absences will be handled in the same way as other respiratory conditions, such as the flu and common colds.

"Statutory sick pay – currently £96.35 a week for up to 28 weeks – and employment support allowance will only start being paid after four and seven days of absence rather than immediately.

“If your employer has said you still need to go into work after testing positive for Covid, you will be deemed to be absent without authorisation if you don’t show up.

"You are unlikely to get paid for this and your employer could treat your absence as unauthorised and follow its disciplinary process."

She said workers need to start a coversation with their employers to see exactly how the scrapping of rules will be handled by individual businesses.