Coronavirus testing available for council workers

Robert Jenrick has written to all councils in England thanking them for their efforts in the battle against coronavirus and reminding them of their eligibility for testing.

The Local Government Secretary said that the government has extended testing to a wider group of essential workers and members of their households, meaning that council workers with symptoms of coronavirus are now able to be tested for the virus, and can return to work if the results are negative.

Those eligible in the local government sector include: social care staff such as social and care workers – with social care workers in care homes able to get tested with or without symptoms; those delivering essential public services, such as benefits payments; and those working with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, homeless people and rough sleepers.

Jenrick said: “The unsung heroes in local government are supporting communities across the country during the pandemic, from helping vulnerable people to ensuring our bins are collected. We’ve expanded the national testing programme to prioritise essential workers such as council staff who are keeping the country going.”