FOI request detail

Testing for Covid-19 on LT premises

Request ID: FOI-1296-2021
Date published: 30 October 2020

You asked

I herewith request under FOIA/Environmental Information Regulation that you please disclose a) which organisation carried out testing for Sars-Cov-2 on LT premises and network? b) using what protocol, number of samples taken, and methodology for sampling for Sars-Cov-2 ? C) using what analytical platform, what kind of test kit, and/or analytical methode to test for Sars-Cov-2? In addition I request full disclore under above mentioned legislation of all reports and interim reports provided by testers concerning testing for Sars-Cov-2 and if applicable laboratory reports concerning Sars-Cov-2 testing performed on LT premises and/or network. I am happy to receive data in dugital form via email

We answered

TfL Ref 1296-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 October 2020 asking for information about testing for Sars-Cov-2 on TfL premises and network.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:

a) which organisation carried out testing for Sars-Cov-2 on LT premises and network?

b) using what protocol, number of samples taken, and methodology for sampling for Sars-Cov-2 ?

c) using what analytical platform, what kind of test kit, and/or analytical method to test for Sars-Cov-2?

In addition I request full disclosure under above mentioned legislation of all reports and interim reports provided by testers concerning testing for Sars-Cov-2 and if applicable laboratory reports concerning Sars-Cov-2 testing performed on LT premises and/or network.

The testing on our network has been conducted by Imperial College London and is still ongoing. We will be publishing the full methodology, scientific background and results on our website at www.tfl.gov.uk at the end of the experimental period which is expected in early 2021, and after Imperial College has produced its report.

Therefore in accordance with the FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply you with the contract you have requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information, under Section 22 of the Act. In this instance the exemption has been applied as the information you have requested is intended for future publication.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to assess whether the public interest in applying the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. In this instance, it is considered that the public interest favours the publication of this information, in context and when the data collection is complete and has been evaluated rather than in response to your request, to ensure the information is provided accurately and in an accessible manner.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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