Key Workers: Here’s How to Get Tested for COVID-19
Uncertainty around coronavirus is tough. Not knowing if you’re infected or when life will get back to normal leaves everyone on edge. But top-quality testing is our best weapon to conquer this crisis and bring clarity to chaos.
Who Can Get Tested Right Now?
Under the government’s 5-pillar testing strategy, priority is given to frontline workers showing coronavirus symptoms. Testing is rolling out in phases, but here’s who’s eligible so far:
- NHS and Social Care Staff: Includes hospital, community, primary care workers, voluntary helpers, clinicians, nurses, GPs, pharmacy staff, healthcare assistants, and those supporting NHS staff accommodation.
- Emergency Services: Police, fire and rescue crews, National Crime Agency, MOD police, British Transport Police, and security agencies.
- Local Authority Workers: Staff working with vulnerable children and adults, domestic abuse victims, the homeless, including social care workers, frontline local staff, residential care workers, and voluntary support workers.
- Defence and Justice Staff: Defence personnel, COVID Support Force, prison and probation workers, judiciary, and HM Courts staff.
- Frontline Benefits Workers
- Other Critical Workers: Medical supply chain, testing teams, funeral directors, Home Office, Border Force, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, utilities, waste, food production, and essential transport workers.
This list applies to England only; other UK nations may have different criteria.
How to Arrange a Test in England
If you’re a frontline worker on this list and need testing, speak to your employer immediately. Employers will receive guidance on booking tests via local resilience forums, national departments, or directly from the Department of Health and Social Care.
Any questions? Employers can email [email protected] for help.
What Happens During Testing?
The procedure is quick: a swab is taken from your nose and throat. You can do this yourself or get assistance.
Testing options include:
- Testing at NHS hospitals (for patients and NHS staff only)
- Drive-through regional test sites (up to 50 by the end of April)
- Mobile testing units travelling to workplaces in need
- Test kits sent directly to ‘satellite’ centres at high-need locations
- Home test kits being developed for doorstep delivery
Samples are couriered safely to labs, with results aimed to be returned within 48 hours.
