The expansion of workplace testing will identify more positive cases of COVID-19 and ensure those infected isolate. This will reduce the spread of the virus and protect those who cannot work from home, and our vital services.
This programme is crucial given that around 1 in 3 people who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly and break chains of transmission.
We want as many employers in Wales as possible to sign up to regularly test their employees. This will reduce the risk of transmission among those who cannot work from home and ensure vital public and economic services can continue.
It is a voluntary decision for employers to run testing programmes for their staff. However, testing can provide confidence to workers and customers in the workplace, helping to protect and enable business continuity.
Lateral flow testing is a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus. The best-known example of a lateral flow test is the home pregnancy test kit.
The tests are easy to use and give results in less than 30 minutes. Lateral flow devices do not require a laboratory to process the test. They are designed to be intuitive and require minimal training to operate.
Those who test positive must immediately self-isolate to avoid passing the virus on to others.
It is recommended that private-sector employers offer their workforce (who are on-site) access to a minimum of 2 lateral flow tests every week. This will help identify staff who are carrying the virus without displaying symptoms, reducing the risk of transmission.
Employers who would like on-site testing but would prefer a private provider to organise and run the testing on their behalf can partner with us here at Evolve Health & Safety.
Employers will need to pay for this service provision, but are still eligible to order the free government testing kits by registering to order workplace coronavirus tests. The onus falls upon the employer to ensure that they order the test kits.
In partnering with Evolve, responsibility still lies upon you the employer to ensure that you register to order a sufficient number of test kits.
Contact our friendly team here at the Pwllheli office on: 01758 741158 who will be able to assist in setting up your new LFT unit.