There is confusion about cases and close contacts who can not work remotely and whether they are entitled to an allowance.
SigmaLive contacted the Director of Social Security, Ms. Evangelia Georgiadou, who explained that people who are positive or have been described as close contacts and are absent from work, do not receive pay from the employer and have contributions to the Social Security Department can to receive sickness benefit.
He clarified that in order to be entitled to the allowance, they will have to provide some necessary documents.
In particular, those who have been identified as cases should,
- have a certificate from their personal doctor confirming their illness,
- while those who have been characterized as close contacts should have the special document which is issued by the Medical Services of the Ministry of Health and will confirm that they have been characterized as close contacts.
Ms. Georgiadou then explained that both the cases and the close contacts along with the necessary documents that they will provide should complete the application for sickness benefit and present it to the District Offices of Social Insurance.
He clarified that the employees have 21 days at their disposal, from the day they were identified as positive or informed that they are close contacts, to submit the necessary documents.