DAILY CONTACT testing has been rolled out to critical workplaces in the food and drink sector in an effort to end the labour shortages caused by staff having to self isolate after contact tracing.

The announcement made by the UK Government last week, means that all workers who have received NHS Covid-19 app alert to isolate or have been called by Test and Trace will be able to continue working if they test negative.

In Scotland, staff who voluntarily agree not to self isolate must be double-vaccinated and in receipt of their second dose at least two weeks previously. They will also require to have a negative PCR test and to agree to undertake daily lateral flow tests.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is essential that lifeline services and critical national infrastructure are maintained and we are implementing these changes now – ahead of possible changes to self-isolation rules for close contacts that may apply more generally in future – to ensure staff shortages do not put key services at risk.

“We have seen significant staff shortages in a small number of organisations in recent days and we have worked with them to protect services. Applications for exemptions are being considered from today and we will consider applications as they come in," she continued, adding that this is a very limited change at this stage and should be applied on a case by case basis.

UK-wide, priority testing sites have already been identified with industry for urgent implementation, including the largest supermarket distribution centres, with rollout to up to 500 sites taking place this week.

UK Environment Secretary George Eustice commented: “Food businesses across the country have been the hidden heroes of the pandemic. We are working closely with industry to allow staff to go about their essential work safely with daily testing.

“The last 18 months have demonstrated that we have a highly resilient food supply chain. There are sufficient food supplies in the system and people can and should shop as normal.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid added: “Throughout this global pandemic, workers in our food and drink sectors have overcome enormous challenges and done everything they can to keep our shelves stocked and our fridges full. As we manage this virus and do everything we can to break chains of transmission, daily contact testing of workers in this vital sector will help to minimise the disruption caused by rising cases in the coming weeks, while ensuring workers are not put at risk.”