Everyone in England will be offered free coronavirus tests twice a week from Friday, the British government announced in a statement on Monday.
The new test regime is part of the government’s plan to reopen the economy in a way that will not lead to an increase in business.
Rapid tests are currently only available to those at greatest risk and to people who have to leave home for work – including front-line health workers, nursing home staff and residents, school children and their families.
From Friday, everyone, including people who show no symptoms, will have access to a free trial.
The statement added that the tests are available at a home delivery service at test centers, workplaces and schools.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
As we continue to make good progress with our vaccine program and with our roadmap to carefully ease the constraints going on, regular quick tests are even more important to make sure the efforts are not wasted.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in a statement that testing was crucial because “about one in three people who have Covid-19 show no symptoms.”
“While we are reopening society and resuming the parts of life that we have all missed a lot, regular quick tests will be fundamental to help us detect positive cases quickly and suppress any outbreaks,” he added.
Johnson plans to outline plans for further unlocking later today. This is expected to include a form of ‘Covid certification’ for massage events and a new “traffic light” system for international travel currently planned from 17 May.
As part of the plan, those from ‘green’ countries do not have to isolate, while those from ‘red’ or ‘amber’ countries have to be required to follow quarantine measures.