ESSEX County Council (ECC) is asking all small to medium businesses to have their staff without symptoms tested regularly for Covid-19 to help prevent workplace outbreaks as restrictions are lifted.

Companies with between one and 49 employees who cannot work from home are being offered the chance to set up testing provision at their place of work. ECC will provide support to enable local firms to do this, including training for staff and testing kits.

Businesses that fit this criteria and are interested in setting up a testing provision at their place of work should visit the ECC website using the link here where they can fill in an online form and a member of ECC staff will get in touch with them.

Dr Mike Gogarty, Director of Public Health at Essex County Council, said: "We know workplaces are doing what they can to limit the spread of Covid-19 and increased and regular testing will further support these efforts, allowing businesses to stay on top of any potential outbreaks.

"Where possible, businesses should be allowing employees to work from home. However, we understand that this is not always an option. For those that can't, we are providing support by ensuring testing is available.

"Regular testing will not only provide employees with reassurance that they do not have the virus, it will also help to increase customer confidence in businesses where employees are required to interact with members of the public on a regular basis."

Anyone who tests positive after taking a rapid test must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test to confirm the result.

There is financial support available if an individual is required to self-isolate and is unable to go out to work during the isolation period. You can find out more about that using the link here.