Businesses across the borough can now apply to test employees in the workplace to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Those businesses with 10 or more employees can order free rapid lateral flow tests to test employees twice a week while they are at work. Lateral flow tests are used to test people who are symptom free but could unknowingly be carrying the virus.

Businesses with less than ten employees are urged to encourage their workforce to continue getting tested twice weekly at one of the borough’s symptom free testing sites. Karen Wright, director of public health at Dudley Council, said:

"Dudley businesses have been working really hard to keep their workforces safe and to keep their businesses running in these challenging times. Evidence tells us that one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms, but can still pass it on, so those who need to leave home for any reason, such as work, are encouraged to have a twice weekly lateral flow test.

"I appreciate that it may feel like another ask of businesses but putting testing in place is a great tool to help keep employees safe and keep workplaces more Covid-secure."

We hope that by enabling employers to carry out the tests in the workplace, it will make it easier for employees and encourage more people to get tested regularly as every test we take helps identify where the virus is and stop it in its tracks.

Businesses must register for the workplace lateral flow test by 11:59pm on 31 March 2021 at gov.uk. Details on how to book a symptom free test can be found at dudley.gov.uk

Anyone with symptoms, including high temperature, new continuous cough or loss or change in sense of smell and taste or those feeling unwell should book a coronavirus test.

Any adult who lives or works in the borough and has a headache, aches and pains, feeling very tired for no good reason, a sore throat, a runny nose or sneezing episodes can also be tested. Children with upset stomachs or tummy ache can now be tested.