Responding to changes announced by the UK Health Security Agency today (Wednesday) removing the need for a confirmatory PCR test for asymptomatic Covid cases in England, UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said:
“Public service workers were already under huge strain to maintain services and Omicron absences have ratcheted the pressure to new levels.
“These changes to testing requirements must be carefully managed to avoid further spread in environments such as hospitals and care homes. And they have to be alongside precautionary measures such as effective PPE and risk assessments.
“Staff need to be given access to adequate lateral flow test kits if this is to work effectively, rather than simply to help the Prime Minister avoid friction with backbenchers.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
