STAFF at Birmingham Airport are being tested for Covid-19 to stop the spread of the virus in the workplace.
Solihull Council has trained airport staff to set up and carry out lateral flow tests with a booking system in place for those not showing symptoms ready for when more employees and passengers return as travel restrictions ease.
Results are sent directly to the employee from the NHS Test and Trace service within 30 minutes of taking the test.
Al Titterington, terminal operations director, said: “Birmingham Airport is crucial to the region’s air transport needs, and as we prepare to restart the operation, 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.
“I would like to thank Solihull Council, who have provided invaluable support and expertise in setting up the service.”
Birmingham Airport has made changes to its infrastructure to create a Covid-secure environment, in line with Government guidance.
This includes the provision of hand sanitiser units throughout the site, perspex screens at customer touchpoints, social distancing markers and signage and an enhanced cleaning regime, using safe, anti-viral, mist treatment.
It is also mandatory to wear a face covering in airport buildings and buses.
Solihull Council leader, Councillor Ian Courts, said: “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.
“As we start carefully on the road to reopening, it’s important that businesses and workplaces encourage regular testing for their employees to identify positive cases quickly.
“Businesses can do this by applying via the national workplace testing scheme or signposting staff to our free, quality assured and hassle free community testing sites or by getting in touch with the Council directly for advice on how we can support them as we have with Birmingham Airport.”
