COVID-19

Is COVID-19 still a threat?

While still considered a public health issue, COVID-19 currently poses a significantly reduced threat to the UK population. This is mainly due to:

• the vaccination programme and stronger immunity among the population who have had the virus;
• better hospital treatments;
• symptoms of the virus generally taking a milder form, more akin to the common cold.

As the severity of the virus has diminished, guidance on COVID-19 has been replaced with the following public health advice:  

The NHS provides useful guidance on COVID-19 symptoms, how to avoid catching and spreading the virus, treatments and long-term effects (Long COVID).  

GOV.UK offers additional advice relating to COVID-19, including testing, vaccinations and travel advice.

The World Health Organisation continues to look at the bigger picture, monitoring the virus as it evolves and ensuing that vaccines remain effective.

Employer responsibilities

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides information for employers on how to manage COVID-19 in the workplace, post pandemic. It no longer mandates that organisations should consider COVID-19 in their risk assessments, although they may still choose to include it.

HSE states that employers must also continue to consult workers and their representatives on any changes they make that might affect health and safety. It also advises there is a requirement to protect people who come into contact with the virus due to their work activity, or who are at higher risk from the virus, due to being immunosuppressed or clinically vulnerable.

What to do if you have COVID-19

There are no longer any COVID-restrictions in the UK, but UNISON members should check with their manager if they are feeling ill and displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive.  

NHS advice suggests, if you work in certain healthcare settings, you may be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests. This will depend on your job role and if you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you are not eligible, tests are available to buy at most pharmacies and larger supermarkets.

According to Acas, self-isolating (staying at home) is no longer a legal requirement, but if someone has Covid-19 symptoms or has tested positive, they should follow Government guidance and their employer’s health and safety policy.

If you test positive for COVID-19, tell your employer and take their advice on whether you need to stay at home until you’ve recovered.  

COVID-19 Inquiry

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 and subsequent lockdowns significantly affected the lives of UNISON members, most of whom continued to work in public settings and could not stay at home.

The COVID-19 Public Inquiry was published in 2025 and UNISON played a leading role in ensuring members voices were heard.

The union made certain that the lived experiences of frontline and other workers were central to the inquiry, so that meaningful lessons could be learned and the right people held to account.  

UNISON collaborated with the TUC, which enabled trade unions to suggest witnesses, question them, make opening and closing statements, and examine evidence. Members were encouraged to share their experiences and discuss the inquiry within their branches, acknowledging the devastating impact the pandemic had on lives and workplaces.  

Legal disclaimer 

The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.