Regular testing is available to make your business a safer workplace – registration deadline extended

**Deadline to register extended**

Take advantage of free regular rapid workplace testing until June, by registering your business before 12 April 2021.

Since the roadmap out of lockdown was announced, there has been an overwhelming sense of hope that we will all soon be able to return to normality. We all want lockdown restrictions to be eased and for people currently working from home to return to their workplaces. However, before we get to that point, business leaders must plan ahead to create safe working environments that will help stop the spread of the virus.

At the time of writing, over 22 million people in the UK have received their first vaccination, which shows huge progress already. While the vaccine does offer us long-term protection, it can’t do everything that is needed on its own. Workplace testing offers us a way forward now, so it is important that business owners act soon.

For free testing until the end of June, register your business before 31 March. Simply follow this link. This is open to businesses that aren’t open yet and now includes those with fewer than 50 employees.

The critical role of regular rapid workplace testing 

If we are to stop the spread of the virus, we must break the chains of transmission. Millions of people are already using regular rapid testing to help protect those around them. If you are someone that needs to leave the house to go to work, then regular rapid testing is available to you. With access to regular testing, workplaces will become safer for employees and businesses will be protected. That is why you, as a business leader, must play your part. Testing will make your business more resilient, as it allows cases to be caught early before they spread, impacting the health and wellbeing of your workforce.

Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms or don’t realise they’re infected and are therefore unlikely to get tested or self-isolate. This means they can spread the virus around workplaces without knowing it. Regular testing is already drastically reducing the number of those cases. To date, more than 2.4 million rapid tests have identified over 51,000 asymptomatic positive cases, who otherwise would have been spreading the virus.

How regular rapid workplace testing will work

Rapid Covid-19 tests are easy and convenient for workers to do. The results come back in around 30 minutes. By signing up your business for regular rapid workplace testing, so employees can get tested at least twice a week, you will help stop the spread, keeping your family, friends, colleagues, and business safe. Helping us all to get life moving.

Tests will be sent to businesses at no cost, making testing even more accessible. Businesses just need to provide a room to do the testing, some basic equipment and staff to support.

An online portal has launched at gov.uk to make it even easier for businesses to find out about offering workplace testing – and to order free tests. Businesses will be provided with all the information they need to plan and deliver their testing programme.

If your business registers by 31 March, free tests will be provided until the end of June. You can sign up today by clicking this link

Who is eligible?

A major effort across the private and public sector has already resulted in interest from over 48,000 UK organisations.

All businesses with employees in England who can’t work from home can sign up for rapid workplace testing, including those still closed due to lockdown. You’ll still need to register by 31 March, and free tests will currently be provided until the end of June. Register your business here.

These links will give you more information on coronavirus testing if your business is registered in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

If you are a smaller business that is unable to offer rapid workplace testing, you can direct your employees to their local test sites. They will find information on where they can have a test, by using the postcode checker here.