Essential workers covid testing

Essential workers who are self-isolating can be referred by their employer for a coronavirus test. From 24 April, they will be able to book a test directly at http://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Essential workers will be able to select either a regional test site drive-through appointment or a home test kit.

Home test kit availability will initially be limited but more will become available. There is good availability of regional test sites, so please select this option if you can.

Any employer that has any queries should contact the Department of Health and Social Care at opshub@dhsc.gov.uk.

The list of essential workers includes:

– social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers

– the support and specialist staff required to maintain the UK’s health and social care sector

– essential public services staff, including:

– charities and workers delivering critical frontline services

– frontline local authority staff, including those working with vulnerable children and adults, with victims of domestic abuse, and with the homeless and rough sleepers