Key and essential workers who cannot work from home are being encouraged to book regular rapid Covid tests as part of Hertfordshire's new community testing scheme launching this week.

With rates of Covid in Hertfordshire still high, it is more important than ever that we all continue to play our part in keeping our communities safe.

Regular rapid testing is one of the ways those who have to go out to work or for essential reasons can do this.

Community testing 'pop-up' sites and roving vehicles are now operating across the county and offer free coronavirus tests to those without symptoms, with results available in around 45 minutes.

This programme of rapid testing will help find those who are infected and break the chain of transmission to ensure that essential services in Hertfordshire are as safe as possible.

Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention, Tim Hutchings, said: "Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms, which means they can spread the virus to their loved ones without realising.

"By taking a rapid test, it means you will know almost immediately if you have coronavirus, so that you can protect your family, friends and community and ultimately break the chain of transmission of the virus."

Organisations across the county are playing their part to support the community rapid testing programme, including the University of Hertfordshire, which is home to one of the largest rapid testing centres in the county.

Quintin McKellar, vice-chancellor said: "We are proud to be partnering with Hertfordshire County Council to support our fantastic local critical workers to receive asymptomatic testing and help minimise the risk and transmission of the coronavirus locally.

"As a result of our own onsite Asymptomatic Testing Centre, opened last year, and our extensive on campus safety measures, we have continued to maintain a consistently low number of infections in our community.

"Opening this new service for Hertfordshire residents at the University's College Lane campus is part of our ongoing commitment to do whatever we can to help the local and national fight against Covid."