If you run a business (registered in England), you can register to order COVID-19 tests for employees who cannot work from home.

The programme is designed to test workers without symptoms who cannot work from home to better detect positive cases, keeping key workers from unknowingly passing on the virus.

The research suggests that around 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and may be unknowingly spreading the virus and so it is seen as a vital part of the Government’s strategy to breaking chains of transmission.

A number of organisations have already signed up to workplace testing including Royal Mail, Tate & Lyle Sugars, Primula, Moy Park, Octopus Energy, Apetito, and DVLA.

The Government service is open for employers who meet the criteria to complete the forms to order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests for their employees.

Employers can register to order tests if:

  • Their business is registered in England.
  • They employ 50 people or more (see updated information below).
  • Their employees cannot work from home.

Here is the link that you need to get order the tests for your business…

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Keeping workers safe is absolutely crucial and businesses have been working incredibly hard to prioritise the health of their staff and customers during this difficult time. I am pleased so many businesses have taken up the opportunity of rapid workplace testing. I would encourage even more to do so and to continue to follow our COVID-secure guidance as we pull together to protect our NHS and save lives.”

In addition, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk have launched a programme of community testing. Community testing is also referred to as lateral flow testing or rapid testing. It’s another tool to help identify and isolate individuals who have COVID-19 but do not have symptoms and may be spreading the virus to other people without knowing.

Any member of the public, without COVID-19 symptoms, can get tested. It is aimed at people who cannot stay home during lockdown, due to work commitments.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • health or social care
  • education or childcare
  • essential shops, supermarkets or financial services
  • food production or processing
  • warehousing, packing or distribution
  • transport
  • essential public sector services including waste, bin collections or security
  • construction, utilities or communications
  • agency workers

Further details of this service can be seen by clicking the following links:

UPDATE:

You can order free rapid lateral flow tests to test your employees twice a week in the workplace.

If you have 10 or more employees, from early April you’ll be able to order tests for your employees to collect from their workplace and use at home twice a week. You can do this if you cannot provide testing in the workplace.

You must register by 11:59pm on 12 April 2021. If your business is closed or you cannot provide tests now, you should still register so you can order tests in the future.