Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to offer weekly covid-19 testing for frontline healthcare workers.

The adult social care sector has been, and continues to be, one of our highest priorities for the rollout of testing, and care homes have been one of the first groups to be given access to repeat asymptomatic testing. This includes weekly testing for care home staff weekly and residents every 28 days.

In addition to regular care home testing, we have started an initial round of testing in extra care and supported living settings that meet certain risk-based criteria. We have also piloted weekly testing for professionals who visit care homes regularly and come within one metre of residents when carrying out their role. This mirrors testing for care homes staff.

The National Health Service has set out its guidance when staff without symptoms should be tested, including where there is an incident, outbreak or high prevalence.