Nearly 1,000 businesses across Dudley borough have been praised after successfully meeting covid secure guidelines to help prevent outbreaks of the virus.

In recent months Dudley Council’s covid business advisors have visited hundreds of businesses across the borough. 956 businesses had a successful first visit and were awarded covid secure posters to display in their premises.

To avoid outbreaks within the workplace, businesses should follow a number of actions including encouraging staff to socially distance when on breaks and outside the premises, pay extra attention to cleaning areas that are shared such as photo copiers, lift buttons and telephones and improve ventilation.

They should also let staff work from home wherever possible and hold meetings online, proactively identify close contacts of positive cases within the workplace, make sure employees follow self-isolation guidelines and include agency staff in covid risk assessments, communications and contact tracing.

Businesses across the borough are also being encouraged to send their employees for lateral flow tests twice a week to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Karen Wright, director of public health at Dudley Council, said:

"Businesses have an important part to play in helping track the virus and to prevent outbreaks occurring.

"We know it’s not possible for all businesses to allow staff to work from home and this is why they must have all the necessary steps in place to protect their workforce and the wider community.

"We’re really pleased that so many businesses are already doing their bit and I thank them all."

Employees showing no symptoms of the virus can book the tests on the Dudley Council website. Businesses can contact Dudley Council about taking part in Train the Trainer models, allowing workplaces to test their own staff regularly either via home test kits or on site, enquiries by email.

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. Book a test at gov.uk.

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.