Key worker testing programme expanded
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GUIDANCE has been issued as to which key workers can apply for the expanded Covid-19 testing programme.
It comes as the UK Government Testing Programme for priority key workers has been expanded to Scotland after co-operation between Westminster and Holyrood to roll out further testing.
This programme operates separately from the existing NHS testing programme in Scotland, which supports testing for clinical purposes and priority staff in the NHS and social care sector.
Key workers have been divided into four main priority groups:
- Priority Group 1: Health and social care workers; staff working in residential institutions and essential roles where service resilience is at risk.
- Priority Group 2: Essential workers in critical national infrastructure fundamental for safety and security, and life-line services.
- Priority Group 3: Staff directly involved in delivering other essential services.
- Priority Group 4: Staff involved in volunteering, or in nationally or locally significant industry important to economic sustainability and growth.
The UK Government drive-through testing facilities are for key workers who are self-isolating because they are symptomatic, or household members over five years of age who are symptomatic.
Testing is only for people within a 90 minute drive of the location. Workers will also have to be able to maintain strict isolation measures during this commute.
Additional testing capacity will also be put in place in the period ahead, including through a number of mobile testing sites and home delivery.
Those who are in Priority Group 1 should continue to access testing through the NHS in Scotland. The only exceptions to this are health and social care workers who are self employed – such as personal care assistants. These workers should access testing through the UK Testing Programme employee portal route.
Where those in the other priority groups are able to access NHS testing already they should continue to do so. However, if there are times when NHS testing capacity is at its maximum, then full use should be made of the testing opportunities offered by the UK Government programme.
The full guidelines are available here.
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