Heathrow is working with NHS Test and Trace on a Government-led rapid testing pilot for airport workers.

Around 2,000 Heathrow airport staff are to take part in rapid lateral flow tests to help identify those who may unknowingly be carrying the virus.

The new scheme will enhance the airport’s pandemic secure credentials, and forms part of the Government’s strategy for keeping critical national infrastructure open and operational.

The pilot scheme will use rapid lateral flow tests to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at the airport. This pilot is designed to support measures already in place to keep the airport Covid-secure, help stop the spread of the new more contagious strain of the virus and provide valuable insight into how rapid testing can be more widely deployed across Britain to keep vital services such as critical national infrastructure running.  

One in three people with coronavirus do not display symptoms, meaning they are at risk of unknowingly spreading the virus to others – particularly when they are unable to work from home. This pilot sets out to understand how routine testing might be used to help identify asymptomatic cases of Covid in the airport’s workforce. These devices can provide test results in as little as 20min. The short turnaround time will make it quicker and easier to identify and isolate positive cases.

This Government-led pilot will take place over four weeks initially and will involve around 2,000 Heathrow co-workers.

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