A number of people (and thank you) have pointed out the statutory instrument below only applies to periods of sickness starting before (or on) 26 January 2022.
It is intended as short-term measure to relieve the burden on GPs for the next few weeks.
Several commentators on Twitter have suggested there is a good chance of it being extended, however, as there is no longer any real need for GP certification of sickness now that SSP is (in the main) funded by the employer, not the State.
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If you blinked, you missed this.
Employees can now self-certify sickness for up to 28 days (previously 7 days). They only need to attend a GP for a ‘fit note’ if they have been ill for more than 28 days and have taken sick leave. This includes non-working days, such as weekends and bank holidays.
To see more, in what is probably one of the shortest statutory instruments ever made, it’s in The Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 2021.
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