Castilla y León, second Autonomous Region to join the ‘Sumamos Plan’ for mass Covid-19 screening in companies

The Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) and the Regional Government of Castilla y León have signed a collaboration agreement to implement the 'Sumamos (We Combine Health + Economy” Plan', a national initiative that has already been launched in the Community of Madrid with the aim of conducting mass Covid-19 tests in companies.

On Monday, the ‘Sumamos Plan’ was presented in Burgos by the president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, the president of CEOE CyL, Santiago Aparicio, and the head of the Castilian Government, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco. The Regional Minister of Employment and Industry, Ana Carlota Amigo, and the President of the CEOE Foundation, Fátima Báñez, also attended the event.

According to the President of CEOE, the deployment of the ‘Sumamos Plan’ will enable companies to conduct mass coronavirus screening tests on their employees, promote the downloading of the ‘Covid Radar ‘ application, and provide assistance to people in situations of greater vulnerability as a result of the effects of the pandemic, among other measures.

In his speech, he stressed the importance of collaboration between public administrations and companies in the fight against the pandemic, which is why he called on all the autonomous regions to join this initiative to ensure that it is implemented throughout the country.

EVERYONE’S BATTLE

In this regard, Antonio Garamendi assured that Spanish companies “are demanding, but at the same time, we are willing and able to collaborate”, because the battle against the virus is “everyone’s battle”.

On the other hand, he urged all citizens to download the ‘Covid Radar’ application on their mobile phones, as “it is essential for tracking cases”. He also stressed the need to comply with health recommendations in the social and family environments to avoid new waves of the pandemic, and said that protocols are being complied with at the workplace by companies and workers.

In turn, the president of the regional government declared that the regional administration and firms are joining forces against the pandemic with an initiative to protect health, employment, and economic activity: “Together we will promote mass screening with antigen tests for workers in industrial parks, logistics centres, central markets and large companies”.

Meanwhile, the president of CEOE CyL stressed that “At this time, what we want most of all is to support the economy and protect jobs and, thus, we will continue to support our companies. Preserving people’s health is a priority and an exercise of responsibility by everyone, and if we all join forces, we will overcome this dramatic situation.”