New “We Offer Testing to our Staff” scheme launched

The government has launched a new “We Offer Testing to our Staff” endorsement scheme to allow businesses to easily show that they are testing their staff regularly for coronavirus. Where can more information about it be found?

New “We Offer Testing to our Staff” scheme launched

The new scheme allows employers to prominently display their offer of free regular testing for workers alongside any existing materials promoting the use of the NHS coronavirus app to check in  customers and visitors. If a business does currently offer rapid workplace testing to their staff they can now order or download NHS Test and Trace branded stickers and posters to display (either physically and/or virtually) to demonstrate this. These are available on the online platform where businesses order the workplace tests - this platform isn’t publicly available, but a business ordering the tests should have the details. The business then has discretion as to where the stickers and posters are displayed, e.g. this may be at the front of a store, at point of sale, or on websites or social media. Further guidance about the endorsement scheme is available here.

A business is eligible for the endorsement scheme if they’re using the free government-supplied coronavirus test kits, either for on-site asymptomatic testing or Workforce Collect, and registered before 12 April 2021 and subsequently self-declared their involvement. If they’re accessing tests through community testing or other universal offer routes, they will be unable to access the endorsement scheme. This is because the scheme showcases to customers and workers that the business is directly offering testing to staff.