Heathrow Airport says it is working with the UK’s NHS (National Health Service) test and trace scheme on a government-led staff testing pilot.
The pilot will use rapid lateral flow tests and is designed to support measures already in place to keep the airport Covid-secure, while also providing insight into how rapid testing can be more widely deployed across Britain. Specifically, the pilot sets out to understand how routine testing might be used to help identify asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 in the airport’s workforce.
The scheme will take place over four weeks initially and will involve around 2,000 of the airport’s staff. Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said, “We’re pleased to be working with the government on this pilot testing scheme, which goes even further to protect our colleagues and the other key workers who are keeping the country moving through this crisis.
“This pilot will support us as we work to keep the UK’s biggest port running smoothly, helping to facilitate essential journeys and the movement of cargo,” he added.
