Government extends testing to workers who can’t work from home

The Government has extended the list of those workers who can be tested if they develop symptoms they think might be related to COVID-19.

Graphic of the covid-19 surrounding the globe

 

The Government has revised its guidance on who can be tested for COVID-19 to extend it to anyone in England with symptoms who either has to leave home to go to work or is aged 65 and over.

The guidance says tests to see if a person currently has the virus are available for all key workers with symptoms,  anyone over 65 with symptoms and anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers).

The Government will also test anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus that lives with the above people.

And it is also testing social care workers and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms), both to investigate outbreaks and as part of a rolling programme to test all care homes and NHS workers and patients without symptoms where there is a clinical need, in line with NHS England guidance.

The Government says testing is most effective within three days of symptoms developing. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own lists and criteria.

Self-referral and employer referral test booking routes are available for key workers who work in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Key workers who are self-isolating can book a test directly and select a regional test site drive-through appointment or home test kit.

Home test kit availability will initially be limited, but the Government says more will become available.

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted).

The testing portal can be accessed here.



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