Taxi drivers, cleaners and others asked to take part in trial on asymptomatic testing

Taxi drivers, cleaners, retail assistants and others in high-contact professions are taking part in a government trial to evaluate the effectiveness of asymptomatic testing for coronavirus.

From today staff at firms including Addison Lee, BT, Mitie and Boots UK will be able to receive a home testing kit from their employer or be diagnosed at a mobile testing unit.

Each business will receive thousands of tests to give to staff, while local authorities will use capacity by booking in specific times for asymptomatic testing at their walk-through local test sites.

As well as testing workers, people in Bradford, Newham, Brent and Oldham who are thought to be vulnerable to coronavirus will also be tested.

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Asymptomatic swab testing will take place as part of a close partnership with government, a number of employers and local authorities.

Those who test positive through targeted asymptomatic testing will need to self-isolate as normal and follow guidance.

Positive results will be shared with NHS Test and Trace, in order to identify recent contacts, advise them to self-isolate and prevent further transmission of the virus.