Employers: Sign up for free tests for your workforce

All businesses in Wolverhampton are now able to sign up to receive free rapid coronavirus tests under the Government’s workplace testing programme.

Businesses of all sizes can register to order lateral flow tests for their workers. Rapid Covid-19 testing, where results can be returned in under an hour, will enable people who test positive to isolate immediately, helping to break the chain of transmission.

Businesses have until 31 March to register for the scheme, which will remain free until the end of June. Test kits, support, training and standard operating procedures will be provided by NHS Test and Trace. Businesses can sign up at www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.

Meanwhile, the council is inviting sole traders, the self-employed and people working for local businesses of any size to get a regular test at one of the city's six rapid test centres. These are:

• The Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• The Jamia Masjid Bilal, Newhampton Road West, 10am-6.30pm daily
• Pendeford Library, Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm
• The Hub at Ashmore Park, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm
• St Joseph’s Church, Willenhall Road, Monday-Friday, 2pm-6pm
• Bilston Community Centre, Prouds Lane, Thursday, Friday and Monday, 8am-4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm.

Booking is not essential, but to assist businesses to test regularly, a dedicated Business Booking Portal has been developed. Reserving a specific slot will allow employees to access a test at a convenient time without having to wait. Slots can be reserved up to five days in advance at https://bit.ly/3uuEkzD.

‘Critical workers’ and businesses have priority access to rapid testing at the Civic Centre between 8am and 9am, Monday to Friday; Pendeford Library from 7am-10am and 4pm-6pm, Monday to Friday; and Bilston Community Centre between 8am and 9am Monday, Thursday and Friday. Workers are asked to bring a form of ID to prove eligibility.

A mobile rapid testing unit is visiting various locations around the city over the coming weeks, including Low Hill Community Centre from 8am-1pm and 2pm-6pm until this Sunday (14 March).

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "Utilising rapid testing is a key tool in ensuring vital services and businesses can continue to operate safely and ultimately help our city out of lockdown.

"We know that up to a third of individuals who have Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms of it and could therefore spread it unknowingly. Regular testing of employees will prevent the onward transmission of the virus and protect businesses, employees and the wider community.

"I would encourage all employers in Wolverhampton to ensure that staff members who cannot work from home access rapid testing twice weekly, either at our public test centres or on site."

If a business has any questions about rapid testing for their workforce, or requires support, they should please email lft@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

Please note, rapid testing is not available to people who have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, or to anyone with symptoms of Covid-19. People with symptoms, including a fever, a new continuous cough or a change to the sense of taste or smell, should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-testor calling 119.

Further advice and guidance on operating businesses in a Covid-secure manner can be found at www.tradewithconfidence.org.uk. For further support, call the Environmental Health team on 01902 551155. Information about business grants can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/businessgrants. 
Latest figures show there were 63 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the seven days to 7 March. That means 166 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that seven day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be higher.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. Information about the vaccine can be found at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidvaccine. Further details of the restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/covidalert.