Virus testing available for council workers

Coronavirus: Local authority workers can book drive-through checks and order home testing kits

Council workers with symptoms of coronavirus are now able to be tested for the virus. The Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government said that the increase in the UK's testing capacity has enabled the government to extend testing to a wider group of essential workers and members of their households.

Those eligible in the local government sector include:

• Social care staff such as social and care workers – with social care workers in care homes able to get tested with or without symptoms
• Those delivering essential public services, such as benefits payments
• Those working with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, homeless people and rough sleepers

Booking the test has been made easier through a new online system.

Test results from the drive-through sites will be sent out by text within 48 hours and within 72 hours of collection of the home delivery tests.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has written to all councils in England thanking them for their efforts in the battle against coronavirus and reminding them of their eligibility for testing. “The unsung heroes in local government are supporting communities across the country during the pandemic, from helping vulnerable people to ensuring our bins are collected. We’ve expanded the national testing programme to prioritise essential workers such as council staff who are keeping the country going.”

The letter from the Local Government Secretary can be found by clicking here