Doncaster Council staff, without symptoms, can now be tested for Covid-19

This includes those working in social care, benefits payments or vulnerable people enabling them to return to work if results are negative.

Others include those who work with vulnerable children and adults, victims of domestic abuse, homeless people and rough sleepers.

Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick has written to all councils thanking their staff and setting out how they and their households can get tested.

Essential workers can book a test if they are experiencing symptoms – a high temperature or new continuous cough – at one of the more than 42 drive-through testing centres across the country, or receive a home testing kit.

The nearest one is situated at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Test results from the drive-through sites will be sent out by text within 48 hours and within 72 hours of collection of the home delivery tests.

Mr Jenrick said: “The unsung heroes in local government are supporting communities across the country during the pandemic, from helping vulnerable people to ensuring our bins are collected.

“We’ve expanded the national testing programme to prioritise essential workers such as council staff who are keeping the country going.

“You are all doing so much to support your communities through the Coronavirus pandemic and I want to thank you again for your outstanding effort.

“What you do is critical to our national response to the pandemic.

“From supporting vulnerable people, distributing financial relief to struggling businesses and ensuring rubbish and recycling is collected, to keeping schools open for the children of key workers and getting rough sleepers off our streets to protect them from the virus.”