Shoppers have voiced their frustration over difficulties in buying lateral flow tests in Nottingham. Nottinghamshire Live attempted to buy a test in the city centre on Monday, April 4, but found it was 'impossible' to do so, despite trying popular retail stores such as Boots and Superdrug.
Our quest to find a Covid test came after the Government announced that as of Friday, April 1, free Covid-19 tests for the population will no longer be provided as part of the plan to learn to live with the virus. To get the tests, most people now have to purchase them in shops, excluding eligible patients, NHS and care staff.
NottinghamshireLive readers reacted to the failed attempt to find a lateral flow with shock and confusion, with one reader sarcastically commenting: "You couldn't make it up."
ForeverH said: "I stocked up a few boxes beforehand, I think it's handy to know if you have covid as to not to pass it on to vulnerable old people if you can help it."
EggMan followed that up with: "You couldn't make it up." One reader, b4z_uk, seemed to be confused with the Government's rule changes, saying: "Do you even need a lateral flow test?"
Our reporter later contacted Boots by telephone and was told, to her confusion, that lateral flow tests are available at the medicine counter. She said that "It didn't seem that way when I was there thanks to the sign, which must have put people off."
Other readers questioned the severity of Covid-19, instead wondering if there was now any need to even bother buying a test.
CourtYard wrote: "Stop testing all together." Tommy MM struck a similar cord, commenting: "If the Government wanted you to test they would be free."
Whatever the case, the Government's announcement to stop free lateral flow tests doesn't appear to be making them any easier to access in Nottinghamshire.
