Through circular 004, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor delivered new guidelines on isolation for people with symptoms of covid-19 and on medical disabilities for those who must isolate.
(See: Covid: reinforcement that must be received according to the initial vaccination schedule).
Next, we tell you what the recommendations are.
THE GUIDELINES
People who present respiratory symptoms (runny nose, headache, general malaise or fever), but are not prioritized in the group that should undergo the covid-19 test (over 60 years of age and patients with comorbidities), the treating physician may issue a temporary disability without the need for diagnostic testing.
Disabilities continue to be a consequence of the evaluation carried out by the professional on the clinical status of the patient and, in the case of covid-19, may issue it at your discretion, without the need for an etiological diagnosis (diagnostic test).
“The incapacity is governed by the regulations of any other medical incapacity with the characteristics that this implies”, added Labor Minister Ángel Custodio Cabrera.
(See: Guilds, with doubts and criticism of the vaccination requirement for employees).
What does this mean? That From day three to day 90, 66.67% of the value of the worker’s salary is paid.
That is a value that the company pays to the employee and that will be reimbursed to the company by the EPS.
From the 91st to the 180th day, 50% of the salary will be paid.
All this refers to continuous days of incapacity, although the doctor treating the patient in question may inquire whether the person can telecommute, work remotely or work at home.
If this is not possible, the temporary certificate will be issued for the worker to isolate himself during the seven days regulated by the health authority.
(See: The events that have already been postponed in Colombia and the world by omicron).
THE ASYMPTOMATIC
Initially, the Ministry of Health had said that the asymptomatic (close contact of a confirmed case of covid-19) should not be isolated, however, circular 004 says that if one of these people has an incomplete vaccination schedule or does not have vaccine, must isolate seven days from the first day of exposure.
And the asymptomatic who had close contact with a case of covid-19, but have the complete vaccination schedule, they do not need to do any isolation and will be able to continue with their daily work.
(See: New measures against omicron: time for reinforcements is reduced).
“For the purposes of issuing the certificate of disability or the certificate of isolation when confirming an epidemiological link, the treating physician is recommended to inquire about the work activity carried out by the patient and the possibility of telecommuting, if these modalities are not feasible, it is suggested to order taking a test for covid-19. If the test result is negative, the isolation will be suspended and the worker will be able to return to face-to-face activities“, explains the circular.
“It is important to remember that the PCR or antigen test is not required as a condition to leave isolation or disability and that companies should not require these tests to return to work.“, was complemented.
TIME AND PORTFOLIO
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