Covid testing kits run out - as we're warned more restrictions 'inevitable'
Lateral flow tests are currently unavailable to get delivered through the UK Government's website
Last updated 13th Dec 2021
People in the UK are currently unable to get coronavirus home testing kits delivered.
The UK Government’s website says they’ve run out, with people asked to try again later or to book an appointment at a testing site instead.
It comes days after daily testing was announced as an alternative to self-isolation for close contacts of positive Covid cases in England, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged people in Scotland to take a lateral flow test before every time we socialise.
Northsound 1 News has been told there are enough kits available, and the issue is with the supply chain.
The home testing kits can still be picked up from pharmacies.
Health Secretary says more restrictions are 'inevitable'
That’s as we’re being told further Covid restrictions are inevitable in Scotland.
Patients waiting for operations could also face longer delays and postponements, as medical staff are being redeployed to help deliver booster vaccines.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said a new target to offer boosters to all eligible adults by the end of the year will be "extremely challenging" and the Scottish Government would be asking for more help from the military to scale up the vaccination programme.
Asked about more restrictions in response to the Omicron outbreak, Mr Yousaf told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think it's inevitable that we will announce additional protective measures."
It is the strongest indication that additional measures will be introduced, and follows comments by Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney that ministers were going to consider reimposing more restrictions, over the weekend.
Changes to the current coronavirus rules will be announced at Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Yousaf added.
Speaking about the impact on the health service of speeding up the vaccine booster rollout, Mr Yousaf said: "We're going to have to strain every sinew that we possibly can in order to ensure we meet (the target).
"That includes potentially having to move NHS staff away from other core duties to do this."
Booster programme picking up pace
He added that there needs to be a "huge increase" in the number of daily doses being administered from the current level of approximately 40,000 to an estimated 70,000 per day.
Mr Yousaf also said the Scottish Government wanted "as much support from the Treasury" as possible after warning "already there has been an impact on businesses through some of the advice that has been issued".
Public Health Scotland last week urged people to postpone Christmas parties because of the increase in Omicron cases across the country, although hospitality industry groups said the advice was a "heavy, heavy blow".