Coronavirus: Shropshire businesses urged to sign up for free workplace rapid LFTs

Shropshire businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of free rapid Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) testing kits for COVID-19, for staff without symptoms at their workplace.

So far, 66 local businesses have signed up for the Government’s free workplace COVID-19 LFTs, with training and support provided by Shropshire Council.

Businesses of all sizes can register to offer regular LFTs to staff, the results of which are available in about 30 minutes, enabling people who test positive to isolate immediately and break the chain of transmission.

Test kits, support, training and standard operating procedures will be provided, and businesses can sign up at GOV.UK.

Regular testing of staff has a number of benefits for businesses: –

• It allows cases and their close contacts to be identified early, avoiding large outbreaks that are very disruptive to business continuity.
• It provides staff with additional confidence that their employer is taking all possible steps to protect them from the virus.
• It allows businesses to demonstrate to the community and their customers that they are playing their part in reducing the spread of infection.

Businesses who want to offer testing will be provided with equipment, training and all the advice they need to establish their own programmes.

Bridgnorth-based Grainger & Worrall are one of the Shropshire businesses that have embraced regular testing for staff.

Adam Bramley, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at Grainger and Worrall, said:

“The testing programme delivered and supported by Shropshire Council has been fantastic. The knowledge of the council’s public health team, as well as the professional training and materials provided, have enabled us to conduct mass testing onsite.

“It has allowed us to provide an added level of protection and reassurance to our critical workers. I would highly recommend to anyone not already signed up, to do so.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:-

“Effective testing is integral if we are going to stop the spread of the virus here in Shropshire.

“We have already seen a strong take up from local organisations looking to offer rapid LFT testing to their staff.

“By identifying cases quickly, they can avoid large outbreaks that can be disruptive to their operations. They will also be helping to protect vulnerable people and support the virus control efforts to get the number of cases of COVID-19 down.

“We all need to play our part in getting infections down, and regular testing is one way of reducing the number of cases.”

Local training supports businesses to establish workplace LFTs and confidently test staff onsite. To find out more or to book training, email lateralflow.phtraining@shropshire.gov.uk

Meanwhile, the council is encouraging the self-employed, and people working for local businesses of any size, to get a regular LFT at one of the county’s rapid testing centres.

Rapid testing for people without symptoms is available without appointment at the following locations: 

Bridgnorth Community Centre, Severn Street, Low Town, Bridgnorth, WV15 6BB

Raven House, 129 Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 3AH

The Victoria Centre, Victoria Road, Oswestry SY11 2HT

Opening hours at the above walk-in rapid testing sites are from Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm. No prior booking is required.

Theatre Severn, Frankwell Quay, Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8FT

Opening hours at Theatre Severn are Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am to 4pm.  No prior booking is required.

Rapid testing by appointment is also available at Council-run sites (booking required):

The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG

Halo, Craven Arms Community Centre, Newington Way, Craven Arms, SY7 9PS

Stanier Hall, Thomas Adams Sixth Form, Noble Street, Wem, SY4 5DT

Tests can be booked online at  http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/

Pharmacies (booking required)

Several Shropshire pharmacies are now offering rapid testing for people who cannot work from home. Tests can be booked online using  https://www.1centralhealth.co.uk/shropshirelft