All businesses in England have until 31 March to register for the government’s COVID-19 workplace testing programme which is free until the end of June.
As part of the government’s roadmap to cautiously lift restrictions, businesses of all sizes, including those with fewer than 50 employees, can register to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.
Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, which means they could be spreading the virus in workplaces without knowing. Rapid testing detects cases quickly – in under 30 minutes – meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.
Regular testing could be the difference between a workplace being able to stay open and operational, or needing to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak. It will form a crucial part of the government’s plan to gradually and safely ease restrictions as we get back to a more normal life.
Alongside the roll out of the vaccination programme and following the ‘Hands, Face, Space’, regular testing is a vital tool to stop transmission as sections of society are reopened.
Geoff Mason, Policy Manager at the North Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said:
“It is great news that regular workplace testing is now available to businesses of all sizes. We at the Chamber encourage our members to take advantage of the programme and help make sure they can operate safely as the economy re-opens. The Chamber network has been asking for workplace testing to be made more widely available so are pleased this has been taken on board. While we welcome this move we join our colleagues across the network to ask that this will be available for as long as necessary and not cut off too soon. A strict cut off date at the end of the month risks many businesses still closed or working from home miss out.”
Register here
