Covid-19 response, Guidance

Lateral flow tests for employees & volunteers

Lateral flow tests for employees & volunteers

Rapid COVID-19 testing now available for anyone who can’t work or volunteer from home

Community testing is now available across Surrey to test people without symptoms who are unable to work or volunteer from home during the national lockdown. This is called “Targeted Community Testing (symptom-free).”

This testing is for people that aren’t showing any symptoms of COVID-19 but who may be one of the 1 in 3 people who are carrying and spreading the virus without knowing it. Please help us to keep Surrey safe and protect our NHS by getting tested regularly.

Surrey County Council is encouraging anyone eligible to take up this testing and help to stop the spread of the virus. You do not need to be classed as a key worker to be eligible – anyone who is permitted to leave home for work, volunteering or care responsibilities during national restrictions and is unable to access targeted community testing (symptom-free) through other routes can take a test.

There are test centres across Surrey, including the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill and community pharmacies in Banstead, Reigate and Crawley. Tests can be booked using the online booking system .

You can continue to work or volunteer (unless you show new symptoms) whilst you wait for your test result which will be sent by SMS or email from NHS Test and Trace within 24 hours.

More info and FAQs

As always, anyone with one or more of these symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

Employer based testing

There is no longer any restriction on the size of employer that is eligible to receive free tests. However, employers must register before 31 March 2021.

Charities and other employers can register to order free coronavirus rapid lateral flow tests for their employees and volunteers who cannot work from home if:

  • their organisation is registered in England
  • their employees or volunteers cannot work from home

If your organisation has a Companies House registration number – register on GOV.UK to get the forms you need to order the tests.

If your organisation does not have a Companies House registration number – you will need to provide the information needed via email and a team at DHSC will complete the validation process.

Email: p-and-psector@dhsc.gov.uk

Please use the email subject “National Workplace Testing – Charity” and then provide the following information:

  • Company name
  • Charity number
  • Number of employees/volunteers
  • Industry / sector
  • Email contact

Note employers must register on or before 31 March 2021.

School bubble and Carer testing

There are other ways to get regular symptom-free testing if you are in one of these groups:

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