IHBC’s COVID-19 signpost 35: Government testing ’access summaries’ include ‘those whose work cannot be done from home’.

The Government has confirmed that ‘anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home’ (including ‘construction workers’) is now eligible to apply for ?#COVID19 testing.

GOV.UK writes:

Our priority is testing patients to inform their clinical diagnosis.

We are also testing:

  • all essential workers including NHS and social care workers with symptoms (see the full list ofessential workers)
  • anyone over 65 with symptoms
  • anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers)
  • anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above

Additionally, we are testing:

  • social care workers and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms) both to investigate outbreaks and, following successful pilots, as part of a rolling programme to test all care homes
  • NHS workers and patients without symptoms, in line with NHS England guidance

This means anyone in one of these groups can find out whether they have the virus. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.

Please note that these lists apply to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own lists and criteria. See more information on:

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