NDA calls for more COVID-19 tests

The US National Demolition Association (NDA) has contacted Vice President Mike Pence to call for increased COVID-19 testing for employees in essential industries.

The association is one more than 60 organisations in a coalition of industry stakeholders who wrote to Mr Pence, with copies to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It said: “We support prioritising the healthcare sector for COVID-19 testing supplies, and as testing becomes more available and abundant, the undersigned organisations urge the federal government to provide COVID-19 testing resources to US employers that are engaged in essential business services.

“Increased access to COVID-19 testing for our workforce will help flatten the curve by removing people with Coronavirus from the workplace and better ensure the safety and health of employees who are maintaining operations during this pandemic.

“Employees engaged in critical infrastructure and essential business are required to be at a physical worksite in some proximity to other employees and/or customers. We have a responsibility to ensure that they can perform their work in a safe environment, and access to testing would help us do so.

“We are especially concerned by reports that as many as 25% of people infected with COVID-19 may not show any symptoms but can still spread the disease.

“A lack of easily accessible COVID-19 testing means that some of our employees may unknowingly be coming to work and spreading the disease to their co-workers and the public.”

• The NDA is to hold a “Town Hall discussion” on available federal business relief resources during the Coronavirus pandemic. It will take place on Friday April 17 at 11am Eastern Time and is open to members of the association and non-members alike.