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ARTICLE · 08 APRIL 2021

Workplace Testing In The UK: FAQs For Employers

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Testing for COVID-19 at work is set to play an important role in the UK government's gradual reopening plans with employers being strongly urged to sign up for free lateral flow tests.

United KingdomCoronavirus (COVID-19)
Lucy Lewis (Lewis Silkin LLP)
Lucy Lewis (Lewis Silkin LLP)
Laura Farnsworth (Lewis Silkin)
Laura Farnsworth (Lewis Silkin)

Testing for COVID-19 at work is set to play an important role in the UK government's gradual reopening plans with employers being strongly urged to sign up for free lateral flow tests. These FAQs cover the legal issues and considerations that employers take on board before rolling out a workplace testing programme.

Key latest developments

On 6 March 2021, the government announced that all employers with staff unable to work from home are now eligible to sign up for free lateral flow tests for their workplace, scrapping the previous 50-employee restriction.

Employers have until 31 March 2021 to register for test kits that will be provided free of charge until 30 June 2021.

The government has published workplace testing guidance for employers setting out the options for workforce testing, alongside more practical setting-up advice on testing staff for coronavirus, see here.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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