Mansfield MP welcomes coronavirus testing for essential workers

Ben Bradley was expressing his support for the Government’s decision to expand the criteria for who can be tested for coronavirus.

The Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, announced that the criteria for testing would now include any essential workers and their families who need a test.

The coronavirus test is offered to UK key workers and apart from some in Scotland tests were booked up within an hour of being made available on Friday.

Ben Bradley MP said: ‘‘It’s very positive news that we’re now able to offer testing via online booking so that more key workers can be tested and, where possible, return to work.

“When the site opened the very high demand meant that all the slots got filled very quickly, but we’re increasing the availability from 1,000 per day up to more than 18,000 per day as we progress.

“This is a really positive step forward for our testing programme and the broader fight against coronavirus.’’

In a previous statement Mr Bradley said: “I’ve had a lot of emails from my constituents across Mansfield and Warsop about testing, so I’m pleased I’ll be able to reassure them that the Government is continuing to provide good-quality testing, which will help us defeat this disease.”

The test will only show whether someone has coronavirus right now, anyone feeling fine and currently working as normal does not need to apply. The test will not tell if a person has had coronavirus previously.