You can now order rapid coronavirus tests online

We're all being encouraged to undergo twice-weekly Covid-19 testing from today and you can order tests online for free.

The lateral flow tests – which can provide results in around 30 minutes – are available from 9th April regardless of whether people have symptoms.

Some professions, like teaching have been using the tests regularly anyway, but now anyone can order them.

Ministers hope regular testing combined with vaccines will result in more restrictions being lifted.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“Around one in three people have coronavirus without any symptoms, so getting tested regularly is one of the simplest and easiest ways we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. I’d encourage everyone to take up the offer and test twice a week.

“Alongside the successful rollout of the vaccination programme, rapid testing will be one of our most effective weapons in tackling this virus and ensuring we can cautiously reopen our economy and parts of society that we have all missed.

“The British people have made a tremendous effort throughout the pandemic and I am confident they will do the same now by taking up this offer of free, rapid tests.”

Why should we get tested?

Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly.

Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, and by making rapid tests available to everyone, more cases will be detected, breaking chains of transmission and saving lives.

TV doctor and practising NHS GP Dr Zoe Williams said:

"Twice-weekly testing will be crucial in helping us manage the spread of the virus as society starts to reopen. The tests are quick and easy to do, and results come back in 30 minutes. Key workers such as myself and my colleagues have been carrying these out for the last few months, and it’s amazing how quickly they have become second nature to us.

"However, it’s important to remember that there is not one silver bullet in the fight against COVID-19, and even with a negative test result, we must still follow social distancing guidelines – hands, face, space, fresh air, and go for our vaccines when called."

Recent analysis from NHS Test and Trace shows that for every 1,000 rapid lateral flow tests carried out, there is fewer than one false positive result.

Rapid lateral flow tests detect cases with high levels of virus and are very effective in finding people who do not have symptoms but are very likely to transmit the disease.

Getting a rapid test

Regular, rapid testing will be delivered through:

• a home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home
• workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
• community testing, offered by all local authorities
• collection at a local polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test site during specific test collection time windows
• testing on-site at schools and colleges
• collection from participating pharmacies

Tests can be ordered here.

Here's the advice from the NHS:

If testing at home, individuals will need to register their results online or by calling 119.

They should self-isolate if they get a positive result and order a confirmatory PCR test.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – should book a PCR test online or by calling 119.

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