Ads
Published
Mar 31, 2020
Reading time
2 minutes
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

Boots to start testing NHS workers for coronavirus

Published
Mar 31, 2020

Boots ramps up efforts to tackle the spread of the coronavirus with the announcement that it will set up testing stations for NHS staff.


NHS


The UK company has effectively suspended all in-store beauty operations to focus on its pharmacy business as supermarkets, healthcare workers and the government work together to fight the pandemic. 

Boots said testing for Covid-19 will only take place in drive-through stations, specifically for NHS staff by invitation only. A trial has already been tested in Nottingham last week.

The health and beauty retailer said the tests will be run by “trained professionals”, including volunteers and Boots colleagues. Boots beauty advisors, including employees who run the beauty counters like No7, Liz Earle, Benefit and Fenty, have not been required to go to work in Boots stores since Monday last week, however Boots has encouraged them to support the business in different ways.

Commenting on the testing initiative, Seb James, managing director of Boots UK and ROI, said: “I am extremely proud that Boots is supporting Covid-19 testing for NHS workers. 

“We will work with the NHS to recruit trained professionals – both Boots colleagues and from the wider community. I am sure there will be many trained healthcare clinicians and students, who will step forward to support our dedicated NHS colleagues. 

“Locations are being defined but will be spread across the UK; they will not however be in Boots stores, allowing our colleagues to focus on supporting our customers and patients.”

The company is also rolling out perspex screens across its stores and will provide in-store staff with protective visors to prevent contagion.

Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.