Free lateral flow testing ended for millions of people in England earlier this month.
The Health Secretary insisted people must "learn to live with covid". Sajid Javid said it was right to "focus resources" on those people who still most needed testing, including some hospital patients and those at a high risk of severe illness.
Most people will now need to shop on the high street for paid-for tests if they want them. However some groups, including some hospital patients and some who work in "high risk settings" can still receive free tests if they show covid symptoms.
READ MORE: NHS confirms nine new covid symptoms
While there are still high rates of the virus in the community, health and social care staff will still be able to get access to free tests, even when they don't have symptoms. On March 31, Prof Tim Spector of the ZOE covid study said one in 15 people in the UK were infected with the virus.
Government ministers have said that most people no longer need to take lateral flow tests. This includes visitors to hospitals and care homes.
For people who wish to keep testing, kits start at around £2 per test. But there is no legal requirement to isolate, even if you test positive and/or have covid symptoms.
Anyone who tests positive is advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days. Those who have a symptoms of a respiratory illness such as a high temperature or "who feel unwell" are being encouraged to stay home until they feel well enough to resume normal activities or when their temperature has subsided.
What do faint lines on a covid test mean?
A line next to the 'C' on the test simply means the test has worked, with the C standing for 'control', while a line next to the 'T' (test) indicates a positive covid reading. But what does it mean if this second line is a faint one?
According to the Gov.uk website, lateral flow tests can be less sensitive when a person has lower levels of the virus in their system. Government guidance states “… even faint lines, shows the test is positive”.
It adds: “Result lines may appear smudged or faint, but they are still valid results and must be reported.” So while you're seeing a faint second line, it is likely you are positive and currently infected with coronavirus.
The Government's decision to scrap free lateral flow testing for most has been slammed by a number of people and organisations. One retired doctor has launched a petition for Boris Johnson to reinstate testing and compulsory isolation.
At the time of publication, the petition has acquired more than 365,000 signatures.
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