Background information

The current exceptional situation and the proliferation of registered cases of infection with COVID-19 demands for the application of extraordinary and urgent measures. Among these, measures should be adopted that increase the possibilities of social distancing and profilatic isolation.

Within this scope of concern, the Decree-law 10-A/2020 of 13 March 2020 provides for the exceptional and temporary recognition of the right to sick-pay, in specific circumstances: the profilatic isolation of 14 days is equated to sickness.

Content of measure

Exceptional and temporary legal provisions are adopted regarding the recognition of the right to sick-pay.

The profilatic isolation, during 14 days, of employees and independent workers (self-employed) covered by the general social security regime is equated with sickness. In this circumstance, the recognition of the right to sick pay does not depend on the verification of the qualifying period, the paid work index and the certificate of the temporary incapacity to work. Sick-pay is not subject to waiting period. The amount of the allowance is equal to 100% of the reference wage (except when the beneficiaries do not have six months of pay statement, when this amount is lowered).

In the situations of illness by COVID-19 of employees and independent workers covered by the general social security regime, the payment of sickness allowance is not subject to waiting period.

Use of measure

Not available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social insurance	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

No involvement of social partners.

Views and reactions

Not available.

Sources

• 13 March 2020: DECRETO-LEI N.º 10-A/2020 - DIÁRIO DA REPÚBLICA N.º 52/2020, 1º SUPLEMENTO, SÉRIE I DE 2020-03-13 (dre.pt)