Employers in England will be able to offer free rapid coronavirus tests to homeworkers under the governments expanded testing scheme in order to detect more asymptomatic cases.
Businesses with more than 10 employees will be offered the free home kits where on-site testing is not possible and would need to register by 12 April for the lateral flow tests. Initially only business with over 250 employees were entitled to the access the lateral flow tests however in an effort to prevent workplace outbreaks and detecting asymptomatic cases the government have expanded the scheme.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said rapid testing was a “vital part” of the roadmap out of lockdown, “helping us to cautiously lift restrictions on our economy and society”.
BCC Co-Executive Director Claire Walker said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement of the provision of rapid home testing kits for businesses to provide for employees. The BCC and the chamber network have long called for this expansion of workplace testing, and we are pleased to see Government responding to these calls today. We would encourage all businesses who are eligible to sign up for free tests to do so by the April 12th deadline.”
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, Sharon Smith, said: “Access to rapid flow testing will allow businesses to operate under the clarity that their home workers will be able to detect more asymptomatic cases, preventing workplace outbreaks which will be key as the country continues the exit out of lockdown.”
“I would encourage businesses around the two counties to sign up to receive the free rapid tests.”
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