Twice weekly rapid testing available to everyone in England

On 9 April the government announced that everyone in England is now able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.

One 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. Since rapid testing was introduced, over 120,000 positive cases that would not have been found otherwise have already been identified by LFDs. By making rapid tests available to everyone, more cases will be detected, breaking chains of transmission and saving lives.

Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is going to be an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. Through new testing technology, positive cases of variants of concern are being detected faster than ever before. More people getting a test will increase our ability to identify and control variants.

Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests

Click here  to order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home in England.

A pack of tests contains 7 tests. You can order one pack per household each day.

You can only use this service if:

• you do not have coronavirus symptoms
• you live in England
• you're 18 or older
• you have not been told to self-isolate
• you cannot get tests from your work, school, college or university (ask them for rapid lateral flow tests)