Mass Covid testing to be expanded to businesses with more than 50 staff

7 February 2021, 07:07

File photo: A lab technician holds a Healgen Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test at RocDoc's testing facility in Gorey, Co. Wexford
File photo: A lab technician holds a Healgen Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test at RocDoc's testing facility in Gorey, Co. Wexford. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Regular rapid-result coronavirus testing is to be made available more widely to employees who are continuing to travel to work during the lockdown, the Government has announced.

Officials said the move is part of efforts to "normalise" testing in the workplace and ensure the safety of those who cannot work from home by identifying asymptomatic carriers of Covid-19.

Ministers will expand the programme by offering access to lateral flow tests, which can produce results in less than 30 minutes, to businesses with more than 50 employees.

Read more: Boris Johnson warns it is 'still early days' to talk about lifting lockdown

Only firms employing 250-plus staff previously qualified for the rapid testing regime.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "To save lives and protect the NHS, we have again asked for everyone to work from home.

Tight lockdown measures until at least May, SAGE member warns

"But we know that for some this is not possible, which is why the workplace rapid testing programme is so important.

"Employers should regularly test their staff, and this drive across Government to raise awareness and encourage more businesses to introduce rapid testing for employees is incredibly important.

"When you consider that around one in three people have the virus without symptoms and could potentially infect people without even knowing it, it becomes clear why focusing testing on those without symptoms is so essential.

Read more: Surge testing deployed in several areas after South African Covid variant detected

"We are already working with many employers to scale up workforce testing, spanning the food industry, retail sector, transport network, and across the public sector too.

"I strongly urge businesses and employees across the country to take up this offer of rapid testing to help stop this virus spreading further."

Frontline workers, such as police, firefighters, Border Force staff and civil servants working on the Covid-19 response, are among those who already have access to regular quick-fire tests.

Sadiq Khan tells Londoners who are concerned about vaccine: It's safe

NHS Test and Trace said that, as of January 29, it had provided Transport for London (TfL) staff with 2,173 tests, identifying 28 positive cases who would have otherwise continued working alongside colleagues.

According to Government statistics, 112 UK organisations have so far signed up to take part in mass testing, with employees being tested across 500 sites.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "We want to be able to reopen the economy and recover our way of life as soon as it is safe to do so, and large-scale workplace testing will complement our work in getting the British people vaccinated."

But union officials said employers could not rely on lateral flow testing alone to ensure the safety of staff, citing that Public Health England (PHE) found examples of missed asymptomatic positive cases during the mass testing pilot in Liverpool last year.

Dan Shears, GMB union's health, safety and environment director, said: "These rapid tests are not a magic bullet, and it is vital that employers understand the limitations and take steps to address them.

"Everyone wants to ensure that infectious workers keep away from the workplace, but this means getting the introduction of testing right - with confirmatory testing to avoid 'false negatives' and crucially ensuring that all protective measures to reduce transmission are implemented to the maximum."

Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "Extra workplace testing is welcome but so much more needs to be done to make workplaces Covid-secure including improving ventilation and upgraded PPE (personal protection equipment) standards.

"This is even more important when the most recent data shows hundreds of outbreaks in workplaces since the start of January."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Russell Brand outside the Trew Era community cafe in Hoxton  funded using money from the sales of his book 'Revolution'

Police probing Russell Brand over historic sex offence allegations 'hand CPS file' to consider charges

Scale of King Charles' earnings exposed as royals rake in 'millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS and military

Royal property portfolio sees King 'earns millions' from contracts with cash-strapped NHS, military and state schools

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Four girls suffer 'potentially life-changing injuries' during visit to UK fast-food restaurant

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks speaks for the first time

Firearms officer who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes following failed 21/7 attacks breaks silence 20 years on

Police Line Do Not Cross ribbon on a London street following a suspected bomb reported in the area.

Schoolgirl, 10, dies after being bitten by family dog in North Yorkshire as police launch launch investigation

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200