UK | COVID-19 | Guidance for employers for a reliable and effective COVID-19 testing programme

Employers can use virus test results to understand who in their workforce currently has COVID-19 and who needs to isolate following a positive COVID-19 virus test. They can use antibody test results to understand the percentage of their workforce that has already potentially had COVID-19. However, Employers should not treat staff who have had a positive antibody test any differently from staff who do not. This guidance will help them ensure that their testing programmes are as reliable and effective as possible. It covers:

• legislation, regulations and best practice
• virus and antibody testing
• how to interpret test results
• next steps after a positive or negative test

Important: Employer and third-party healthcare providers wishing to provide a test to staff must not advise individuals without symptoms to get a test from the limited supply offered by the NHS Test and Trace service, but may offer alternative private provision, in accordance with this guidance.