RAPID Covid-19 testing for people without symptoms will play a key role in helping tackle the pandemic, Health Minister Robin Swann has said.
The minister was speaking during a visit to the EH Allingham Construction site on the Crumlin Road, Belfast, one of the employer-led assisted testing sites in operation in Northern Ireland.
Mr Swann said: "By participating in rapid testing, employers are protecting their workforces and their families, protecting customers, promoting consumer and supplier confidence, and helping to build economic recovery.
"To date, over 850 private sector businesses in Northern Ireland have already contacted the Department of Health to register an interest in the programme.
"This is a positive step, but I would encourage more businesses to avail of the free lateral flow tests and implement rapid testing in their workplace. We are extremely fortunate in Northern Ireland to be in a position to have access to a steady supply of effective rapid testing kits."
The site at EHA Group has been established as part of the NI SMART rapid testing expansion programme, and covers 250 staff working on site.
Mr Swann meanwhile has welcomed an expansion of the community pharmacy Covid-19 vaccination service with the phased deployment of the Moderna vaccine for those aged 18 and over.
The roll out builds on the success of the existing vaccination service, which has now delivered more than 115,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from almost 350 community pharmacies.
The new service will initially offer the Moderna vaccine from 16 pharmacies with more being added on a rolling basis over the coming weeks.
Locations have been identified and selected on the basis of vaccine uptake data in order to help reach as many people as possible in areas of lower uptake and to make it easier than ever for people to get their vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones.
“As well as the continued availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine to individuals over 40, the additional availability of the Moderna vaccine to eligible individuals aged 18 years and over will also provide more locations where those people who haven’t yet come forward to receive their vaccine to do so now," the minister said.
