Rapid home testing kits to be made available

Rapid Covid-19 home testing kits are to be made available for workers under the expansion of a government scheme.

Employers can now order the home testing kits by registering through the government portal by 12 April.

Tests are free until 30 June.

Dr Justin Varney, director of public health for Birmingham City Council, discussed the likelihood of a move to home tests during Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 's Quarterly Business Report for Q1 last week.

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), chief strategy officer at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This expansion of the workplace testing programme is a very welcome step forward and one that the Chamber network has been calling for.

“It is clear that workplace testing and an effective test and trace programme will be critical for keeping the economy open and managing future outbreaks.

“Offering home testing kits will take some of the pressure off smaller employers in particular who have been concerned about how to set up effective onsite testing.

“I would absolutely urge all employers reading this to ensure that they have registered through the Government 's portal by the new deadline of 12 April. ”

Meanwhile, the next set of restrictions in the government 's roadmap are lifted from today, with outdoor sports able to resume and outdoor gatherings of up to six people (or two households permitted).

Register for the workplace testing scheme here.

Read the Chamber 's summary of the Government roadmap here.