Government Launches NHS Test And Trace Service

The Government launches its test and trace service today and has issued related guidance for England. There are equivalent arrangements for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The new NHS Test and Trace service will launch today (Thursday 28 May) across England, the government announced.

The service will help identify, contain, and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus, and save lives.

From 28 May, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people with whom they have been in direct contact, or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes.

People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus.

If those in isolation develop symptoms, they can book a test at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ or by calling 119.

If they test positive, they must continue to stay at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have passed. If they test negative, they must complete the 14-day isolation period.

Members of their household will not have to stay at home unless the person identified becomes symptomatic. At that point, they must also self-isolate for 14 days to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-nhs-test-and-trace-service

NHS test and trace: Workplace Guidance

Guidance on the NHS test and trace service for employers, businesses and workers.

The NHS test and trace service forms a central part of the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy. It seeks to help the nation return to normal as soon as possible for as many people as possible, in a way that is safe and protects the NHS and social care sector.

this service will also play an important vital role in providing an early warning if COVID-19 activity is increasing locally, regionally or nationally. This information will then be used to inform the government’s approach to stop the spread of the virus.

This guidance explains how employers and businesses can play their part in the NHS test and trace programme to slow the spread of the virus, protect the health and care system and save lives.

See guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance

This guidance should be used in conjunction with Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

By following the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) guidance, employers can reduce the risk of co-workers having to self-isolate if a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19.

This guidance is for England only. There are equivalent arrangements for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Guidance for contacts of people with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection who do not live with the person

This guidance is for people who have been notified by NHS Test and Trace that they are a contact of a person who has had a positive test result for coronavirus.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person