Boris Johnson said ahead of the initiative being launched: “As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine programme and with our road map cautiously easing restrictions under way, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted.
“That’s why we’re now rolling out free rapid tests to everyone across England – helping us to stop outbreaks in their tracks, so we can get back to seeing the people we love and doing the things we enjoy.”
Everyone in England is set to be offered free twice-weekly coronavirus tests from this Friday as part of a government initiative to support the easing of lockdown measures.
The lateral flow tests, used to provide results within 30 minutes of a swab being taken, have so far been made available to those who are unable to work from home due to the nature of their employment.
Now the tests are set to be rolled out to the public at large – with options to conduct the test both at test centres and at home.
How to get a test
People will be able to obtain a test through a home ordering service, workplace or school testing programme, or by collecting one at a local test site.
Local authorities have operated community testing sites throughout the latter stages of the pandemic, with the services being expanded to the wider public after initially being reserved for those engaged in in-person work.
PCR test sites, used for those who have displayed symptoms of the virus due to their high rates of accuracy, will also be able to offer lateral flow tests for collection during specific time windows.
A new “pharmacy collect” service is also being launched, which will provide an additional route to regular testing by allowing the medical shops to give a box of seven tests to be used twice a week at home.
In addition an online home ordering service is set to be rolled out with kits delivered through the post.
These options will run alongside existing workplace testing programmes set up by employers.
