Rapid coronavirus testing rolled out to West Midlands Metro staff
Rapid coronavirus testing has been rolled out to West Midlands Metro staff in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Midland Metro Limited (MML) made the move after teaming up with Sandwell Council to help make the tram safer.
It means staff from the company will receive priority access to appointments for rapid tests at West Bromwich Town Hall.
More than 100 frontline staff have already been tested since it was rolled out – with only one person testing positive.
Anthony Stanley, MML’s head of quality, health and safety and the environment, said: "Employees such as drivers and conductors are considered key workers, and, thanks to their efforts, we’ve been able to maintain an essential service for those who still need to travel during the pandemic.
“Now that lateral flow testing has become more widely available, we’ve struck an agreement with the council which is offering members of the Metro team priority access to test appointments at West Bromwich Town Hall.
“This represents another major step forward in our fight against the virus as one in three people who catch Covid-19 do not show any symptoms and wouldn’t know they have it.”
The one person who tested positive is now self-isolating and is awaiting the result of a further PCR antigen test.
Mr Stanley said: "This lone positive result shows that the new system is working.
"Mass testing adds yet another line of defence against the virus and is a welcome addition to the steps we’re already taking to prevent its spread, including enhanced cleaning and measures to encourage social distancing."
Councillor Maria Crompton, deputy leader for Sandwell Council, added: “We’re delighted to be able to work in partnership with MML, helping them to build on the measures they’ve already taken to keep customers and employees safe during the pandemic. Clearly, rapid testing is an effective way to boost efforts to halt the spread of the virus.”
