Business leader backs scheme on rapid coronavirus testing

The Chair of Blackburn with Darwen’s Hive Business Leaders’ Network is backing a new coronavirus testing drive aimed at businesses.

Ian Brown said the Hive had been working with Blackburn with Darwen Council since January to promote its local programme which aims to deliver on the Government’s plans to increase rapid workplace testing for staff who are not currently showing symptoms.

Blackburn with Darwen’s SMART lateral flow testing programme is available to businesses, with local firms encouraged to sign up to participate in regular, free testing to help protect their employees and stop the spread of the virus.

The local testing team will not only provide delivered lateral flow kits and PPE but are also available to support with on-site training and advice on setting up workplace testing.

More information and a step-by-step guide of what’s involved and FAQs can be found here and here.

The local SMART testing programme will remain a key tool in the local response to the virus following the Government announcement on its roadmap for cautiously easing the current lockdown restrictions.

Ian Brown, Chair of Blackburn with Darwen’s Hive Business Leaders’ Network, said:

We are behind any activity that supports our local businesses and helps Blackburn with Darwen to build back better and recover as quickly as possible from the devastating impacts of coronavirus.

We have been working with the Council since the beginning of January to promote this SMART testing programme – to provide free rapid workplace testing – through our business network.

This strong local offer is designed to help protect businesses and their employees and stop the spread of Coronavirus. I fully endorse the programme and would encourage as many local businesses as possible to come forward and contact the Council to see how they can help you to take part.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

Rapid workplace testing for those without symptoms is another vitally important step in our battle against the virus and our ability to pass the Government’s four tests and move through the different stages of lockdown easing.

So my message to businesses is this is a national call from Government but locally there is a strong local offer with additional support they can use.

One in three people with coronavirus do not have any symptoms and can pass on the virus without knowing it. So the future is in our hands –I would encourage more firms to come forward, get involved and help us to break the chain of transmission.