Construction workers now eligible for COVID19 tests
Unite has welcomed the announcement that construction workers are now eligible for targeted COVID-19 testing.
Testing announcement
The announcement was made by the health secretary Matt Hancock at the government’s daily press briefing. He confirmed that workers who had to leave home to go to work such as construction workers were now eligible for COVID-19 testing. The eligibility for testing also applies to the workers’ immediate family.
Sites re-opening
Access testing
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “Unite is pleased that the government has supported Unite’s call to ensure that construction workers who continue to work can easily access testing for COVID-19.
“This will significantly help prevent the spread of the virus on construction sites.
“Testing alone however will not stop the spread of this deadly disease. It is imperative that construction workers are able to continually socially distance from when they leave home in the morning to when they return at night.
“The dangerous PHE guidance must be withdrawn and the Health and Safety Executive must step up to the plate and insist on procedures that require workers to social distance on sites at all times to reduce risks of infection.”
April 29th 2020