Coronavirus Testing available for shop workers
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Political News
The Government has extended COVID-19 testing t
o essential workers with symptoms and people who live with essential workers and have symptoms. This includes anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home including shop workers.
Employers can register their staff through a digital employer portal by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk.
Employees are also able to self-register through a separate employee portal.
The government has confirmed there are two ways that essential workers can obtain COVID-19 tests:
Employer Referral
Employers can use the employer referral portal to refer essential workers who are self-isolating either because they or members(s) of their household have COVID-19 symptoms, for testing.
Employers will be able to upload the full list of names and contact details of self-isolating essential workers.
If referred through this portal, essential workers will receive a text message with a unique invitation code to book a test for themselves (if symptomatic) or their symptomatic household member(s) at a regional testing site.
To obtain a login to the portal, employers should email portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk with two email addresses that will be primarily be used to load essential worker contact details. Once employer details have been verified, two login credentials will be issued for the employer referral portal.
Self-Referral
- Essential workers who are self-isolating can book a test directly.
- Two testing processes will be available. These include a regional test site drive-through appointment or a home test kit.
- The government has developed guidance on the self-referral process here. Essential workers can book a test directly by clicking here. Please note that the self-referral portal currently states that applications are closed.
Please note that this testing process only applies to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may have they're only processes. We are currently working with devolved administrations so we can communicate the details of their processes to retailers.