Virus testing for HGV drivers and other transport workers

The Government has announced that testing for the COVID-19 virus will be extended those deemed key or critical workers. This includes many in the transport sector. The aim is to get frontline workers who are isolating back to work.

These tests are to determine if a person has the virus at the time of the test.
They will not check if someone has previously had the virus.

Testing can only be accessed through the employer who will need to request testing from authorities.
Employers wanting to test staff will need to get approval to request tests – further details below.

The priority for testing will be NHS, care workers, emergency services, defence, and judicial workers. Other key workers will be tested as capacity allows when the demand for the first priority testing is met.

The availability of tests be determined by local need and available capacity as determined by government departments and agencies and will be controlled through the employee referral portal.

Testing for transport workers will be through either drive through testing centres by appointment only, or through home testing.
Eligibility
For transport workers:
• those who keep the air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the coronavirus response
• those working on transport systems through which supply chains pass.
This will include all lorry drivers, maintenance staff, transport managers and people who control or plan the movement of goods.

When to get a test?
The tests are for frontline and key workers who are showing symptoms of the virus.
Testing should be done quickly, within 3 days of having symptoms.
In addition, a key worker and household members should seek tests if the key worker is self-isolating without symptoms because a member of the household is showing symptoms.
The symptoms to look out for include a high temperature or a new continuous cough.

How to get a test – Employer registration for the system
Anyone who is eligible and wants to be tested should speak to their employer.

Employers will need to get access to the “employer referral portal”. This is a web portal for employers to use to upload the names and contact details of self-isolating essential workers who need tests.
In order to get access to this system an employer will need to email the Department of Health and Social Care at [email protected] with 2 email addresses for people who will be used to load essential worker contact details.

The Department will verify the application. It is not clear what information the Department needs for this. The RHA suggests that an employer should explain what they do (road freight haulier for example) and what employees may be essential.

Once an employer is approved the 2 people selected by the employer will be given login credentials to use the system.
Workers will receive a text message with an invitation code to book a test for themselves (if they have symptoms) or their symptomatic household member(s) at a regional testing site.