Changes to Covid testing rules slammed

Changes to Covid testing rules last month mean people without symptoms do not have to confirm a positive lateral flow test (LFT) with a PCR test, leading the GMB general union to say this will “massively skew” infection figures.

An LFT test does not need to be sent to a laboratory while a PCR test does. Positive LFT results are only added to official figures if someone inputs the results into the NHS system themselves. Dan Shears, the GMB’s health and safety director, says most people won’t do this.

“With statutory sick pay at poverty levels of £96 a week, it creates a perverse incentive for workers to ignore a positive LFT and keep working, potentially infecting lots more people,” he added.

Unions and the TUC also criticised a government scheme guaranteeing daily Covid tests for only a fraction of key workers following surging demand for, and shortages of, LFT tests.

Prime minister Boris Johnson announced the government would provide 100,000 critical workers in England with free LFT tests to help keep essential services and supply chains running. This includes those in critical national infrastructure, national security, transport, and food distribution and processing.

But the TUC said the government’s own figures show 10.6 million of those employed, a third of the workforce, are in key worker occupations and industries so the scheme will guarantee daily Covid tests for just one per cent of key workers.