Workplace COVID testing
As we’re all too aware at JR Accounts, COVID-19 has forced many businesses – or significant sections of businesses – to work from home, assuming they weren’t already doing so. Nevertheless, many businesses have continued to trade, the most obvious examples being supermarkets and chemists – essentially, those that provide everyday essentials.
This means that, for millions of people, working from home isn’t an option. As such key workers are much more at risk from the virus than those of us that are ostensibly confined to our houses. And key workers assume many guises: retail staff, delivery drivers, refuse and recycling collectors, bus and taxi drivers and so on.
Regular workplace testing
Since approximately one-third of COVID-19 carriers show no symptoms of the virus, they are more likely to spread the virus unknowingly. And if a business unwittingly employs an asymptomatic worker, the risk of COVID-19 spreading is greater.
With this in mind, it’s essential that regular COVID workplace testing occurs, and that anyone infected is instructed to self-isolate at home.
Two ways to test
While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is the most accurate way to analyse a DNA sample, it’s unfortunately not the quickest. Therefore, it’s not the best option when it comes to regularly testing staff for Coronavirus.
This is where lateral flow testing comes in. Not only is it cheaper than PCR, it doesn’t require the use of a laboratory, which means it produces much faster results.
Though lateral flow testing doesn’t offer the accuracy of its PCR counterpart, it does effectively identify particularly infectious individuals. As such, it offers a quick and easy way to pinpoint members of staff that are most likely to spread COVID-19, allowing for the necessary remedial action to be taken.
Please bear in mind, however, that workplace testing should only be used to screen asymptomatic carriers, not employees that are displaying COVID symptoms.
Is my business eligible?
If your business employs 50 or more people and is based in England, it should be eligible for the programme.
How much does it cost?
The COVID-19 testing programme is free for use by publicly funded and private organisations until 31 March 2021. (At the time of writing, this date remains under review and may well be extended.)
How do I sign up?
Please make sure you have your company’s name, registration number and email address at hand before heading to https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.
Need help managing your business’s finances? Here at JR Accounts, we provide a range of business accountancy services, from payroll, business planning, company secretarial and much more. Talk to our Ilford accountants today and arrange a free consultation.
