Regular staff testing for C-19 to be paused
THIS CONTENT HAS NOW EXPIRED
It is currently recommended that all pharmacy staff test twice-weekly for COVID-19 using a self-administered Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test at home and report their results through the GOV.UK website.
Prevalence of COVID-19 in the community has fallen and remains at a comparatively low level as we emerge from the current Omicron wave. This means that the likelihood that individuals entering healthcare settings are infectious has also reduced and the relative risk of onward transmission into these settings is lower.
As a consequence of this, earlier this week, the Government announced that regular asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 will be paused in all remaining health and care settings from 31st August 2022.
This means routine, twice-weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing by pharmacy staff should be paused.
Read the NHS England guidance following the Government announcement
Where pharmacy staff have symptoms of COVID-19, they should continue to undertake LFD testing, as described in the UKHSA COVID-19: managing healthcare staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection guidance.
Where LFD tests kits are still required, pharmacy team members can order them from the GOV.UK website.
Visit our main COVID-19 hub page
