Government speaks out over pilot Covid test scheme at major Horsham store

The Department of Health and Social Care says that the staff at Horsham’s Waitrose supermarket are playing ‘an important part’ in stopping the spread of coronavirus.

Under the pilot test and trace scheme, people no longer have to self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19. Instead they can undergo a rapid Covid test.

The Horsham store is one of 57 Waitrose and John Lewis shops taking part in the pilot.

A spokeswoman said: “We’ve been working with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS Test and Trace to roll out rapid lateral flow testing for our Partners (staff) and this is available in selected Waitrose and John Lewis shops.

“Instead of self isolating, our Partners have the option to be tested each day before they begin working which means they can resume their role if the test is negative.”

And a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Daily contact testing is currently being piloted in partnership with a small number of businesses, including the John Lewis Partnership, to build an evidence base and inform our decisions on future testing models.

“During these pilots, close contacts of someone who tests positive for coronavirus will be given the option to be tested every day for seven days.

“This will enable NHS Test and Trace to quickly find more cases, including those without symptoms, to stop the spread of the virus.

“These pilots are playing an important part of our evaluation of daily contact testing, to help identify coronavirus cases and break the chains of transmission.”

Health officials say that one in three people with Covid-19 do not display symptoms, meaning broadening asymptomatic testing ‘is essential.’

Lateral flow tests used by the Government are, it says, ‘accurate, reliable and successfully identify those with Covid-19 who could pass on the virus without realising – they go through a rigorous evaluation by the country’s leading scientists.’