Businesses who staff attend the workplace are being encouraged to take up lateral flow coronavirus tests to identify carriers of the virus, if they’re not already accessing regular testing.
The council is setting up Community Testing sites across the county, with rapid tests that provide results within the hour. The exact locations are yet to be announced but will be in areas across East Devon.
The first one has been set up at County Hall, Exeter, with others to follow in coming weeks.
The community testing centres are being used by anyone whose job or volunteering work requires them to leave the house and be in contact with others, including people caring for others, either paid or voluntary.
With many organisations still open, and with employees and volunteers who can’t work from home having to go out to work, the risk of catching the virus and spreading it to others remains a concern, says Public Health Devon.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said:
“Coronavirus thrives on contact with others. The more we come into contact with other people, the more opportunity we give the virus to spread. Many people are still working and volunteering, and those who can’t do that from home are going to the workplace, with their colleagues. Some people, taxi drivers or shop workers for example, might also come into direct contact with the public.
“We want people who are going in to work, paid or as a volunteer, and whose roles puts them in contact with others, to start being tested at our Community Testing Centres, if they’re not already accessing regular testing elsewhere.”
Larger employers – those with more than 50 employees – can now set up their own workplace testing facilities to regularly test their employees for coronavirus, and there is government help for those businesses that can do that.
Mr Brown added: “This testing is for people who are not showing symptoms of having coronavirus. Anyone showing symptoms of having the virus – new and continuous cough, high temperature, and change to their usual sense of smell or taste – should apply to the national testing programme.”
To book a rapid test and to find out more about Community Testing in Devon, visit devon.cc/testing
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here