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Pendle businesses encouraged to register for workplace testing
Published: Wednesday, 24th March 2021
As local businesses gear up to reopen, Pendle Council is urging you to register for free, regular rapid tests for employees.
More than 48,000 businesses across the country have registered their interest in the programme which uses lateral flow tests that can give a result in 30 minutes.
The scheme has been expanded which means all businesses of any size can now access workplace testing.
Those who need to leave home for work can also access regular community testing which is run by Pendle Leisure Trust.
Dean Langton, Chief Executive of Pendle Council, said: “Regular rapid testing will be a crucial tool to prevent outbreaks in the workplace as restrictions are eased.
“To take part in the scheme you’re encouraged to register before 31 March, even if you’re not yet open or are not able to start using the tests straight away.”
Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms, which means they could be spreading the virus in workplaces without knowing.
Rapid testing for people without symptoms detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.
Dean added: “Testing will form a crucial part of everyday life as parts of society reopen.
“Regular testing could be the difference between a workplace being able to stay open and operational, or needing to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak.”
New analysis by NHS Test and Trace shows lateral flow tests to have at least 99.9% specificity. This means that for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is less than one false positive result.
To register for workplace testing visit - www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests
For information on community testing run by Pendle Leisure Trust, visit - www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk/smart-test
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