Asymptomatic Lateral Flow Testing for businesses

8 Feb 2021 03:59 PM

How to get going if you want to run your own test site for staff and visitors

Although advice from government is changing frequently, it’s now clear is that companies with over 50 employees can apply to run their own asymptomatic lateral flow test sites. This is non trivial so it will make sense for operators to coordinate and streamline this activity where possible. I have prepared some rough notes on how this works which will shortly appear on our website but in the meantime, the best way to find out how to do this is via the daily introductory webinars, currently being held at 2pm for 45 minutes. Link provided below. The slides from the sessions are below, as is the guidebook mentioned in the webinars. However, you MUST complete the training and sign the govt. Ts and Cs provided before you run a test site.

Introductory overview session – 1 (45 minutes), to provide an overview of testing and answering initial questions

Microsoft Teams meeting

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892762625@t.plcm.vc

Video Conference ID: 125 385 330 9

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+44 20 3443 8728,,273694178# United Kingdom, London

Phone Conference ID: 273 694 178#

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There is also a more detailed session for those planning to operate a test site daily from 2.30 to 4 until at least the end of this week. The primary source of information is the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Here’s the announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-boost-to-rapid-workplace-testing and you can start the process here: https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests

While government is suggesting that twice weekly tests are advisory they are not mandatory. Companies can choose whether to mandate testing in line with their business continuity and infection control measures. This is funded by Government up to March 31st and currently in England only but this may change. These webinars should shortly be available via a digital platform so that you can watch them at any time. We will post the link as soon as we have it.

What is Asymptomatic Lateral Flow Testing and why is it useful?

The purpose of lateral flow testing is to screen communities because around 1/3 of infected people are asymptomatic and government estimates that at least 50% of COVID-19 infection is spread this way. At present it is not envisaged that people will have to take a test and show negative result before they arrive on site, but will be encouraged to undertake regular (twice a week) tests and may be asked to show that recent test results are negative. The tests are much faster, but slightly less accurate than PCR testing. Negative test results do NOT reduce the need for PPE or other infection controls, whether the test was PCR or lateral flow. This useful video explains lateral flow testing, why it is appropriate for large scale screening and what the caveats are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ_8b_Ydsv0 Lateral flow testing is for asymptomatic people who cannot work from home. Those with any symptoms should book PCR tests. 

Additional resources:

Introduction to LFD Testing in the Workplace vF 3FEB21.pptx 

LFT Asymptomatic Testing Guidebook_V2.5.pptx