More tests available

5 April 2021

The Government has announced that everyone in England will be able to access free, rapid coronavirus testing twice a week from 9 April.

The blog has already discussed how such testing has been available to essential workers and staff in some businesses to remain open and help prevent outbreaks.

The Government believes that, alongside the vaccine rollout, regular testing will be an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it can suppress the spread of variants.

Over 100,000 businesses in England have registered their interest to provide rapid tests to their employees, and the offer of free testing is also being expanded to companies with over 10 workers where on-site testing is impossible.

Testing for people without symptoms will be delivered through a home test ordering service, workplace testing, community testing run by local authorities and PCR swab tests at specific sites.

People aged over 18 without symptoms will be able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid tests to use twice a week at home.

The devolved administrations make their own policy decisions around testing.