Business wanting to sign up to the government’s lateral flow testing programme need to do so by 31 March 2021.
The programme gives businesses with more than 50 employees the opportunity to order free lateral flow tests, so they can regularly test employees for coronavirus in the workplace.
The tests are free if businesses sign up by 31 March 2021, so Staffordshire County Council is urging any business in the county who has been thinking of signing up to do so before the deadline. After the 31 March 2021, we understand a business will be charged for supplies and delivery.
Regular testing of employees allows businesses to quickly identify coronavirus cases, stopping the spread of covid-19 and reducing any potential impact on their workplace.
Businesses can sign up via the government website at www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.
Employees who are in households, childcare and support bubbles with children or staff at nurseries, schools or colleges can also collect home tests from local testing sites across the county.
Director for Health and Care Dr Richard Harling said: “With more of the country due to open up in the next few weeks as lockdown gradually eases, it’s more important than ever for our businesses to ensure they can stop coronavirus in its tracks.
“We know that regular testing of staff can help businesses identify the 1 in 3 cases of coronavirus that don’t display any symptoms, reducing any disruption to their business and helping them stay open. With the deadline for signing up to receive free lateral flow tests, I would urge any business thinking of regularly testing their employees for coronavirus to sign up as soon as possible.”
