News | The national workplace Lateral Flow Testing programme

As national restrictions are eased and people begin to meet again, we know there will be an increase in outbreaks.

Lateral Flow tests are a way that employees with COVID-19 but without symptoms can be found quickly. They can then be supported to self-isolate to break the chain of transmission and prevent larger outbreaks in workplaces. This has a number of benefits for businesses. These include:

• Minimising impact on lost productivity caused by outbreaks
• Preventing reputational damage associated with larger outbreaks
• Protecting the health of employees and their families

The national workplace Lateral Flow Testing programme has been reviewed and today the Government has announced a more flexible programme which allows more businesses to sign up and will now allow employees to take the tests at home. More details of the announcement is here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/workplace-testing-programme-expands-to-offer-free-rapid-home-testing

We encourage you to take up this offer of free testing. The deadline to register for employee Lateral Flow tests has been extended to is 11:59pm on 12 April. You can register through this link https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests