From 6 April, the workplace testing programme will supply home test kits to companies with over 10 workers where it is not possible to set up testing on-site, due to a lack of space or because companies operate across multiple sites.
Businesses across the country will be able to order the home test kits online to distribute to their employees. These self-test kits will be picked up by staff from their employer with clear instructions about how to take the test. Staff will then complete the home test in the normal way, before reporting their results to the NHS using the provided website address.
The workplace testing programme uses lateral flow tests to rapidly detect the virus in 30 minutes. Given that around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, swift detection of cases means those who test positive can isolate immediately and, in doing so, break chains of transmission and suppress the virus.
Businesses are encouraged to register before 12 April in order to access free tests until the end of June, even if they’re not yet open or are not able to start using the tests straight away. Employers can register by clicking here.
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