Give shopworkers priority for Covid test kits, says union

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Retail workers should be given priority access to lateral flow tests for Covid because they cannot work from home, says shopworkers’ union Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers).

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Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “Supply problems with lateral flow test kits are putting working people at risk and vital services in danger of being shut down.

“The Government claims there is no shortage of tests, but this morning their website states that there are currently none available.”

The Usdaw appeal follows a similar plea from the TUC (Trades Union Congress), whose general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said that anybody whose work means they cannot confine themselves to home should be given tests.

Lillis said: “We welcome and endorse this call by the TUC. Our members working in retail are key workers delivering essential services.

“They cannot work at home, they have worked throughout the pandemic and they deserve priority for test kits to help them and the public stay safe and well by reducing the risk of virus transmission in shops.”