Wolverhampton employers urged to look at testing grants
Employers across a city are being invited to apply for financial support with providing regular Covid-19 testing.
Wolverhampton's Business Testing Grant is available to any organisation which commits to more than 75 percent of its workforce being tested for Covid-19 twice a week.
Grants of £500 are available to businesses with one or two employees and £2,000 is available to those with between three and 49 employees.
Additionally, businesses with 50 to 249 staff can apply for grants of £5,000 and grants of £10,000 are available to those employing 250 workers or more.
Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, businesses will receive 25 percent of the grant when they apply.
The remaining 75 percent will be given after they demonstrate they have met their weekly commitment to get 75 percent of staff tested twice a week up to the end of June.
Latest figures show 349 local employers have so far been approved, or started an application, for a Business Testing Grant and already nearly £200,000 in up front and final payments has been committed to those which have met the eligibility criteria.
Richard Lawrence, Wolverhampton Council's director of regeneration, said: "As our city continues its journey of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is crucial that businesses and other vital services are able to operate safely.
"Routine rapid Covid-19 testing of staff will help prevent the spread of the virus and protect businesses, employees and the wider community.
"The Business Testing Grant is intended to encourage businesses to embrace rapid testing and to help with any costs this might entail, for instance with PPE and cleaning for on-site testing and time away from work to allow staff to get tested.
"I would encourage employers to apply for a Business Testing Grant to help ensure that their staff members are able to access rapid testing twice a week."
Other employers are encouraged to apply before the deadline of Thursday, April 30 April, and those that who have started but not yet completed their applications also have until the same date to do so.
For more details, and to apply, go to wolverhampton.gov.uk/testinggrant.
