A lateral flow test
(Picture: PA Wire)Free Covid lateral flow tests will continue beyond February 24 despite Boris Johnson pledging to scrap all remaining regulations later this month.
In order to give the public the confidence to socialise with friends and family, free tests will remain but may be scrapped by the summer, it has been reported.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Johnson revealed all remaining restrictions would be lifted a month earlier than planned, on February 24.
While free Covid tests will remain free beyond that point, the Mirror reports the Prime Minister will set out a shift towards paid-for testing in a ‘Living with Covid document’ set to be presented to MPs on February 21.
It is unclear how much tests could cost.
Mr Johnson said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.
“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we’ll be able to end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive, a full month early.”
According to a leaked paper last month, a move to end free testing had been planned for early 2022.
Due to the spread of the Omicron variant, the timetable was pushed back until the summer.
In the document, seen by Reuters, agencies are working for an online ordering system where Brits could order tests from the end of June.
Self-isolation rules for those who test positive had been set to end on March 24 but could be brought forward a month by Mr Johnson’s plans. The rules as it stands mean you can only leave the self-isolation period after testing negative on days five and six of the 10-day period.
In Scotland, anyone who has tested positive or develops symptoms must self-isolate for at least seven days.
A No10 spokesman said on Wednesday: “We’d expect anyone with an infectious disease to take steps not to spread that disease further - a colleague at work with flu, for example.”
It is unclear whether the £500 self-isolation payment for poor workers with Covid will continue.
On Wednesday, 68,214 tested positive for Covid taking the seven-day total to 485,074 - a fall of 22.8 per cent from the previous seven days.
A further 276 deaths were also recorded, taking the seven-day total to 1,526 - a 16.3 per cent drop from the preceding week.
