The aim is to help protect the facility’s workforce by identifying employees that are asymptomatic
Birmingham Airport has implemented free rapid testing for all on-site employees, supporting the national effort to identify any positive cases of the COVID-19 virus within the workplace.
In collaboration with Solihull Council – who have trained personnel to carry out testing – the airport has formulated a booking system and has specific testing centres designed for staff to carry out testing on site.
The aim of the new regime is to identify staff that are asymptomatic, ensuring that those testing positive for the virus can immediately self-isolate. Results are sent directly to the employee via the NHS Test and Trace service within 30 minutes of taking the test.
Al Titterington, Birmingham Airport’s terminal operations director, believes that “testing will play an incredibly important role in our collective recovery”.
“By offering lateral flow tests to all who work at the airport, we can increase the chances of finding asymptomatic cases to protect our passengers, employees and partners and create the right conditions and reassurance to serve customers once restrictions are eased.”
Birmingham Airport has already implemented safety provisions to improve health and safety standards throughout the pandemic. Hand sanitisation units are present throughout the site, as well as Perspex screens, social distancing markers, and safety signage.
“It’s great to see workplace testing being rolled out by the airport,” said Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council. “The airport is a key economic asset within Solihull and so it is important to support this as national restrictions begin to ease. Our local public health team have worked closely with Birmingham Airport to launch this testing regime for their staff and onsite partners.”
Private testing firm, ExpressTest is currently delivering onsite passenger testing services at the airport. This service is located within the terminal building and is available to those needing to proof of a negative PCR or antigen test.
