Workplace Covid testing now available to all businesses

Covid-19 lateral flow tests are now available to all businesses who register before 31 March.

By registering, firms will be able to order free lateral flow devices to test employees in their workplace.

Lateral flow tests provide a result within 30 minutes and are intended to help identify asymptomatic cases of Covid-19.

Prior to this announcement, this facility was only available to businesses with more than 50 employees.

Tests will be free until 30 June but businesses must register here, on or before 31 March.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is holding a webinar on 10 March to brief members on the latest Covid-19 insight and support.

Ruth Tenant, director of public health for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, will be sharing guidance for businesses on workplace testing and Covid-secure practices.

She will be joined by Kevin Harris, office managing partner for RSM, who will be exploring trends and strategies that businesses are adopting in response to Covid-19, and Henrietta Brealey (pictured), chief strategy officer of the GBCC.

Ms Brealey will be providing an update on Covid-19 support and the roadmap to reopening.

She said: “There 's a real sense of optimism in the air as businesses look forward to Covid restrictions easing.

“Things seem to be moving in the right direction but to keep it that way widespread testing and identifying any potential outbreaks early will be critical - particularly while vaccination rollout is still underway.

“Workplace testing is a key backbone to this and we're pleased to see our and the British Chambers of Commerce's' calls for access to be widened to all businesses answered.

“I would encourage all businesses to make sure they have registered by the 31 March deadline. ”

Find out more about the webinar and register here.

Employees and individuals who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 can also access free lateral flow tests from community testing sites coordinated by their local authorities:

Birmingham City Council - here

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council - here

Staffordshire County Council - here