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Chronicle Live
National
Mike Kelly

As the days of free lateral flow tests end - how long do the ones you have now last?

The days of the free lateral flow tests (LFTs) are coming to an end.

The Government is announcing that anyone who wants to find out whether they have Covid-19 will have to pay, reports WalesOnline.

These LFTs have been used throughout the pandemic as simple home tests that quickly tell you whether you have contracted Covid-19.

Go here for the latest coronavirus updates and breaking Covid-19 news

People going to work and pupils going to school have been asked to take regular tests and isolate if they are positive.

But now the free supply will come to an end, and anyone who wants to check will have to pay.

According to the Government says businesses will be able able to pay for tests if they want staff to test regularly.

There are fears tests could cost anything from £30 to £100 when payment comes in.

So is it worth keeping a few tests now before payments begin?

Stockpiling is rarely a good idea - especially if it will cause a shortage for others who have a genuine need.

But for those who currently have tests at home, the good news is they will last for two years before they have to be thrown away.

If you look at the back of a box from the NHS it will have three numbers.

After the LOT or batch number is the date of manufacture, and below that is the expiry date.

You have to throw tests away after the expiry date as they will not be reliable.

You are currently still able to order tests online from the Government website.

You can place one order a day and each box contains seven tests.

You might be able to get tests from:

* a pharmacy

* your work, school, college or university

* somewhere in your community, for example at a test site, community centre or library

Find out: where to get rapid lateral flow tests in England

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