Register your interest in the new Devon County Council Community Testing Service

Posted on 11 February 2021 in News and updates

Following a successful pilot phase last week, this free service is now available for critical workers and those in high-risk occupations who still have to attend work, and people who are in contact with vulnerable individuals, such as paid and unpaid carers, and volunteers. Early Years and Childcare staff are considered to be critical workers.

This service will help to find individuals who have COVID-19 but do not have symptoms and who may be spreading the virus without realising it.

The first site is open in Exeter, and more will be opening across Devon in the next few weeks.

Staff should NOT book a lateral flow test if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If they are experiencing any of those symptoms they should use the GOV.UK website to arrange an NHS test.

You should visit the start page for the booking service where you can book a test.

More information can be found in this press release.

Notes:

  • You must book an appointment to attend a testing site
  • If you are a front-line worker who has regular contact with the public in your working week, testing twice weekly is advisable
  • If you visit less frequently, then you may wish to test on the day of the visit or the day before
  • You should not be asking members of staff to get tested before they come into the workplace

Large and medium-sized employers (more than 50 employees):

NHS Test and Trace are advising that large and medium organisations in both the public and private sector with over 50 employees can apply directly to GOV.UK to set up their own workplace testing. This will initiate an invitation to a webinar for further information. If companies have specific queries following that, they can contact the relevant team at the Department for Health and Social Care via P-and-PSector@dhsc.gov.uk.

Sent on behalf of the Community Testing Service at Devon County Council.