UK expands COVID-19 testing to ease shortage of key workers

LONDON - Britain's government expanded a programme of daily COVID-19 tests on Monday to reduce a wave of staff absence created by a high number of new cases and strict rules on self-isolation for people who might have been infected by them.

Hundreds of thousands of British workers, who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, have been required under public health guidelines to self-isolate for 10 days, creating staff shortages in critical areas. This rule is due to end for fully vaccinated workers on Aug. 16, and before then workers may be exempted if their employer is selected to host government-run daily COVID-19 tests. Currently, self-isolation is normally required even if someone subsequently tests negative for COVID-19.