Nationwide ‘surge testing’ to see 400,000 coronavirus tests sent to homes every day

The plans are part of Boris Johnson's bid to return the country to a "new normal"

17 February 2021

By InYourArea

Hundreds of thousands of Covid-19 tests will be sent to workplaces and homes as part of the Government’s plan to re-open England, according to reports.

From next month, around 68% of the population will be eligible for “surge” testing thanks to the new rollout and tests already available for people working outside their homes.

Individuals will be encouraged to use the lateral flow tests whether or not they have symptoms, with the Royal Mail told to prepare for delivering 400,000 each day.

Rapid tests are already in use at centres such as this Bristol location (Photo: Bristol Live)

Boris Johnson is reportedly set to lay out the plan, titled ‘Are you ready? Get testing. Go’, on Monday, reports the Times.

Rapid-testing kits deliver results in just half an hour but are less precise than alternatives, with regulators previously expressing concern at trusting untrained people to use them effectively.

Ministers are hoping to re-open schools from March 8 and it’s believed the new testing programme will be launched prior to this date.

Pupils, teachers and their support bubbles will likely be offered two tests a week.

Non-essential shops, universities and further education are expected to be open by late April, followed by pubs, restaurants and gyms in early May – dependent on the vaccine roll-out and infection figures.

A minister told the Times: "The vaccination programme is going better than we could have hoped, but testing is the key to getting the economy going again."

Lateral flow tests are already available to companies with over 50 staff members who have continued working during lockdown.

Transport for London has launched four asymptomatic test sites, and primary school and nursery workers looking after key worker children have been taking tests twice a week since January.