This article is now over 5 years old and may not represent current law.
Update, October 2026: this describes a 2021 workplace testing scheme which has ended, so the deadlines below no longer mean anything. The remaining Covid legal restrictions in England were lifted on 24 February 2022 and free universal testing ended on 1 April 2022, under the government’s Living with COVID-19 plan.
The Department of Health & Social Care announced on the 6th March 2021 an extension to the workplace Covid asymptomatic testing scheme.
The question Can an employer require or force employees to take a COVID-19 test at work or before returning to work? is answered in my article on The Business Bulletin.
As part of the government’s roadmap to cautiously lift restrictions, businesses of all sizes, including those with fewer than 50 employees, can register from today to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.
Previously the scheme was only open to employers with over 50 staff.
So far over 3,500 businesses are signed up to offer workplace testing programmes, and over 14,000 have registered their interest in offering rapid testing, with many already rolling tests out.
Businesses have until 31 March to register for the government’s workplace testing scheme, which will remain free until the end of June. All those who can work from home should continue to do so.
Written by Steven Mather, a business solicitor acting on company sales and purchases. This is general information about the law, not legal advice on your situation. Law correct as at .
