Most sickness absence policies allow for employees to self-certify absences of up to seven days. Where an employee who is absent for more than seven days and they have flu-like symptoms, you will need to make an exception to your normal policy requirement for medical evidence. However, you still take reasonable steps to verify the sickness absence. This could include keeping in contact with the employee and ask them to explain what medical advice they have sought and followed. You could ask the employee to  provide evidence where possible, but you should act reasonably in what you require from employees in the current circumstances.

The Government announced in the Budget on 11 March 2020, that they will soon be introducing an alternative to the fit note for employees who are advised to self-isolate to prevent the spread of coronavirus.