As Hillingdon businesses reopen regular testing for their staff is helping keep everyone safe

Both Hinds the jewellers, which has its head office in Uxbridge, and Serco UK are among those businesses regularly sending staff to Hillingdon Council's test centres for those without symptoms.

Both businesses stressed how having staff getting regularly tested has enabled them to continue to operate safely during the lockdown period and will continue to help them keep staff and local communities safe in future.

In January, Hinds Managing Director, Paul Hinds, organised the regular rapid testing for staff, to try and keep the business COVID-19 free and enable everyone to work safely.

"We have had a very small number of cases and it has been key to get affected staff members isolated quickly and stop the spread both in our business and the wider community," he said.

"Testing at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge has been easy for all our staff and I would recommend it to all businesses in Hillingdon, large or small."

Hinds is also now considering introducing home tests for staff as a further way of making it as easy as possible for them to get tested regularly.

Staff members from Serco UK's team provide engineering support to Squadron 32 at RAF Northolt. To protect themselves and the RAF crews and families, Serco's team has been regularly visiting the COVID-19 test centre in South Ruislip.

Mark Needham, Serco Aircraft Engineering Manager, thanked the council and said: "The COVID-19 testing service and support provided by Hillingdon Council has been invaluable to Serco in ensuring that we can continue to deliver our services while keeping staff safe during the pandemic.

"Since the introduction of seven testing sites across the borough at the beginning of this year, our employees have been routinely using the service and, coupled with our own robust prevention measures, we have operated a COVID-secure environment and reduced the likelihood of the spread of infection."

With restrictions easing across the country and more businesses set to reopen, it's still vital for people to get tested regularly to help halt the spread of the virus.

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: "I'm grateful that businesses in the borough like Hinds and Serco and many others, have taken such a responsible and proactive approach to helping tackle the COVID-19 crisis.

"Big or small, every business in the borough has a part to play in helping the local economy recover and ensuring that as we return to normality, we still take every care not to risk further spread of the virus and more restrictions."

You can find your nearest site, check opening times, and book your free COVID-19 test online. 

Our seven testing sites are: 

• Beck Theatre in Hayes 
• Civic Centre in Uxbridge 
• Harlington Young People's Centre 
• Haste Hill Golf Course in Northwood 
• South Ruislip Young People's Centre 
• Sipson Community Centre, Sipson 
• St Mary's Church, Harefield.