People who fall ill can get sick leave from their doctor and simply hand it in to their employer. This is also the case with coronavirus. Unlike a cold or the flu, however, with coronavirus there are different situations that complicate the issue of sick leave. A clear case in point is when a person who tests positive for coronavirus is symptomatic, i.e. they are clearly physically unable to work. Consequently, many people wonder how it is with sick leave in Germany in case of isolation or quarantine. And is there any difference if you test positive but have no symptoms? You will find answers to these questions below!
Sick leave in Germany for coronavirus infection with symptoms
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If you have a positive coronavirus test result and at the same time symptoms of the disease, it is obvious that you can take sick leave. Currently this is also possible over the phone in Germany. The doctor checks the health of the patient in a phone call and can then issue a sick leave for up to seven days. If the patient is still not healthy, the doctor can extend the leave for another seven days at a time using the telephone diagnosis. This regulation is still in effect until March 31, 2022. However, it is expected that the German government will extend the regulation beyond the end of March.
What to do if you test positive for coronavirus and do not have any symptoms?
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However, a coronavirus infection or positive test result does not automatically mean that a person is entitled to sick leave. Even if the health authority has officially ordered isolation. This is justified on the grounds that the employee in question can continue working from home. It is only if this is not possible and the employee would have to leave their home or apartment to work that a doctor can issue sick leave, even if the person has no symptoms.
What applies to uninfected people in quarantine?
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The situation becomes more difficult for people who have to be quarantined as contacts or after travelling from a high-risk area, but who are not themselves infected with coronavirus. In this case, the legal situation in Germany does not provide for sick leave. In this situation, work from home applies, as the person is not incapable of working due to illness. Persons who have been vaccinated with the third dose of the vaccine or who have a recovery status may leave their home or apartment to go to work if work is not possible from home. Those who have not been vaccinated must be quarantined, but cannot do their work from home and must expect not to be paid during this time.
Sometimes, unvaccinated persons who have been quarantined by order of the authorities or have been officially banned from work are compensated under the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). This also applies to parents who have to look after their children themselves because of officially ordered measures.
source: own compilation www.insidegermany.co