From 6 April, 2021, businesses across the country where worksite COVID testing is not possible ,will be eligible to order home test kits for their employees.
Over 60,000 businesses have already registered their interest in the workplace testing programme, which 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.
Staff will complete the home tests as normal, before reporting their results to the NHS using the provided gov.uk address.
The workplace testing programme uses lateral flow tests to rapidly detect the virus in 30 minutes. Swift detection of cases means those who test positive can isolate immediately.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Rapid testing is a vital part of our roadmap, helping us to cautiously lift restrictions on our economy and society.
“Around one in three people with coronavirus do not have any symptoms, so extending employee testing from the workplace to the home will help us identify more cases we otherwise wouldn’t find, prevent further transmission and save lives.
“Sixty thousand businesses across the country have already registered for free, regular and rapid tests, and I encourage many more to take up the offer, helping to keep their employees and their families safe.
“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.
“As well as reporting their result directly to the NHS, employees should advise their employer of a positive result and take a confirmatory PCR test. Employers will retain an important role in encouraging their employees to take and report the results of their test.”
