Asymptomatic key workers to be tested for Covid-19 at Barnsley's Metrodome

Key workers who have no symptoms of Covid-19 and can’t work from home can get tested for the virus at Barnsley’s Metrodome.
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Anyone who is classed as a “critical worker”, who is unable to stay at home because of their job, and comes into contact with vulnerable people can be tested twice a week for six weeks.

Barnsley has been sent lateral flow tests as part of a pilot scheme, and Barnsley Council frontline staff were the first group invited to book a test from January 7.

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Anyone eligible will be contacted by the council, and invited for a test – for example, service critical frontline staff, people working with high-risk and vulnerable groups.

Asymptomatic key workers can get Covid-19 tests at Barnsley's MetrodomeAsymptomatic key workers can get Covid-19 tests at Barnsley's Metrodome
Asymptomatic key workers can get Covid-19 tests at Barnsley's Metrodome

Julia Burrows, Barnsley’s director of public health said: “By testing these people on a regular basis – twice a week for at least six weeks – we aim to identify positive cases early and help break chains of transmission within the community for people who interact with the general public on a daily basis.

“It is essential that through increased testing we are also able to support people who are told to isolate as a result of their test, and additional information for mental health, wellbeing and financial support will be offered to those individuals.

“If people don’t or can’t afford to isolate after a positive result, or their contacts are not followed up, we won’t reduce transmission, and if people regard a negative result as a ‘free pass’ it can do more harm than good.

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