All essential workers in England, and members of their households who are showing symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to get tested, the government has announced.
This will mean individuals and people they live with will have the reassurance of knowing whether their symptoms are caused by coronavirus and can decide whether they are well enough to return to work.
A new campaign will help essential workers in England - including NHS and care staff, teachers, hospital cleaners, public servants, the emergency services, supermarket staff, delivery drivers, and other critical infrastructure staff - to access testing.
Booking the test has been made simpler via a new online system. From today, employers can register and refer self-isolating staff, and from today employees will be able to book a test directly for themselves or members of their household who are experiencing symptoms – a high temperature or new continuous cough.
