Covid Priority Testing For Key Workers??

[Smowball]

My friends just told me that if you work for NHS, Government etc you can be priority tested. Is this true or has she just imagined it?? Teen Smow is showing all symptoms late last night and works for Prison Service but honestly doesn’t look well enough to go and stand in a queue somewhere for 5 hrs..... just curious.

[vic-lou]

Phone 111 and they will talk you through the procedure

[Smowball]

I’ve tried that, it just says to then dial 119, then that just tells you to go online..........

[woofgang]

this from April but IIRC it needs to go through his employer https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#list-of-essential-workers-and-those-prioritised-for-testing-england-only

[anneasquith]

Well, go online .

[douglas9401]

Maybe he could take a camping stool along so he can have a sit down when queueing.

[Smowball]

Thanks woof - yes he is classed as key worker....

[webbo3]

I work for the NHS and had a test quite a while ago along with all my colleagues.

[anneasquith]

Has he isolated himself snow until he obtains a test ?

[rockyracoon]

5 hours? Three men who work with my husband (non keyworkers) got appointments within a couple of hours for a test, then got their results within 3 days. A test station a few miles from me is apparently a non appointment set up and no wait. I'd give the hotline a ring and see what's available, if he's too unwell to go anywhere, then a home test can be sent.

[MartinMillar]

Ring the hotline it’s there for a reason to give you the correct answer

[Jude1630]

I have an awful cough, was told by my manager I would have to get a test before coming back to work, went on line on Thursday morning at 9, had an appointment for 12, results by 10 next morning, negative, so back to work I go, even though I still feel rotten.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I thought you had to go in a vehicle to get tested. Surely, they don't expect people showing signs of Covid to stand in a Queue for 5 hours? Ring 119 and follow instructions like everyone else.

[bednobs]

You probably have found this out by now but everybody in the household must self isolate now until he gets his results even if they don't have symptoms. You can get walk though tests but it depends on what's near you. Go online to book or to get a postal test

[Old_Geezer]

If things pan out as normal, I'd expect on-line to advise you to ring 111.

[AuntPollyGrey]

I thought your son worked for a removals firm.

[retrocop]

//I thought your son worked for a removals firm. //

In a way I suppose he does. He removes the dregs of society and moves them about the country to different HMP establishments. :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Smow has one than one son.

[ladybirder]

I think Smow's forgotten about this thread.

[MartinMillar]

I think that’s what he did before he was a prison official, then you have another son who has been left for dead then went to prison and is now out and there is a third son too but we don’t hear much about him

[Smowball]

Sorry guys - we’ve been trying to get him booked in for a test. He’s spoken to 111 and 119 and even tho he is listed as an ‘essential worker’ who qualifies for a priority test they said on the phone that they aren’t doing them at the moment, and to book online or ask for home test. He has been online for 2 hrs trying to book a test but still no joy.