Workplace Lateral Flow Testing has begun in our offices

We have already begun workplace testing to help slow the spread of the virus across the county and ensure our offices are Covid-19 secure.

We are supporting Cumbria County Council’s initiative to regularly test employees who cannot work from home during lockdown and will be introducing regular rapid lateral flow tests for staff from Monday 15 March 2021.

Working in partnership with the local authority, and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, who will provide and deliver the training, testing kits and PPE free of charge to businesses, we expect to carry out 200 tests a week.

Guidelines state that up to one in three people who have Covid-19 have no visible symptoms. Twice weekly testing for our employees – based at offices in Carlisle, Penrith, Cockermouth and Kendal - will help to identify those who have unknowingly contracted the virus.

Stuart Davison, Operations Manager at Armstrong Watson, said: “Many of our colleagues have no choice but to work from the office during lockdown to keep our services open for our clients and customers.

“Rapid Flow testing is another tool in our toolbox to help ensure our offices are COVID-19 secure for both our colleagues and our clients.

“Cumbria County Council has helped support us in the rollout across our offices and their help has made the project easier. The rollout has been welcomed by our teams and gives an added layer of peace of mind that our offices are as secure as they can be.”

We are urging other Cumbrian businesses to register for the Cumbria County Council scheme by emailing ask.lft@cumbria.gov.uk.  Alternatively, businesses can now join the national workplace testing programme at www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “Mass lateral flow testing of those without symptoms is a key part of the strategy for preventing the spread of Covid and getting us out of lockdown.

“People who want to access rapid testing have a range of options to choose from. It’s quick and simple and gives people the reassurance that they are not unwittingly infecting other people as they go about their work.

“I’d strongly encourage those people who can be tested in the workplace to make use of this opportunity, and to help raise awareness of the community walk-in centres to their friends and families.”