Government must 'get a grip on testing' to avoid lockdownpublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 18 September 2020
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare
The government must "get a grip" on Coronavirus testing if Birmingham is to avoid a full lockdown, a local MP has said.
Speaking after a visit to a local testing centre in Saltley, Labour MP for Hodge Hill Liam Byrne said some people had highlighted the difficulties in getting a test.
“We had stories of people being sent all over the country from Saltley, even though the testing facility in Alum Rock had spaces," he said.
"One guy, who works in a warehouse, basically said he had lost his job because he’d had to take time out to try and get a Covid test for his son, and when he couldn’t get an appointment he was having to look after his son. And then he’s lost his job as a result."
The health secretary says "inappropriate" use was making it harder for people to get tested.
The Department of Health has said about a quarter of people requesting tests have no need to do so - and only those with relevant symptoms should book.