People in Nottingham have voiced their hopes and concerns after the Government confirmed its mass testing programme will be rolled out across the county.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the new lateral flow tests, which give a result within the hour, will soon be coming to the city and county following "really good success" with the pilot in Liverpool.
More than 23,000 people have taken part in the scheme in Liverpool, which was the first city to enter Tier 3 restrictions before the nation was placed into lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since confirmed more than half a million test kits will be issued to 50 directors of public health across the country this week, with each locality receiving 10,000 antigen lateral flow devices to expand the pilot scheme.
The tests would allow even those who are asymptomatic to get tested and self-isolate if their test came back positive.
People living in Nottinghamshire praised the news.
Wendy Garrett, 53, a children's ICU nurse who lives in Mansfield, said: "Working as a nurse has changed in the respect we used to take precautions, but that has been heightened.
"It has been very stressful for people on the front line. The testing could take pressure off the NHS as you are not putting people at risk if you know to self-isolate and you are not infecting the vulnerable and elderly."
She was speaking as Nottinghamshire's hospitals have been dealing with more patients than at the peak back in April, with 400 beds now occupied across the county.
A total of 56 people have died as a result of the virus in the most recent seven days in the county.
Mrs Garrett said: "Quite a majority of us who tested positive have not had any symptoms.
"My sister has been a volunteer for the Oxford vaccine trial because she is a nurse. She does her bloods and a swab every week. So this is positive to hear."
Her friend, Cathy Ellicott, 50, also of Mansfield, added: "I think it is great.
"It is the light at the end of the tunnel because it will mean we can get our lives back a bit, as we could be in this situation still at this time next year.
"We will know when we are back to normal when festivals and music events are back on and the young people can go back out."
In Liverpool there are 16 testing sites as part of the pilot and it is expected to be rolled out further across the country in the coming "weeks and months".
More than 2,000 troops have been assisting with the effort.
Directors of public health will now determine how to prioritise the allocation of these new tests, based on the specific needs of their communities, and this initial 600,000-strong batch will then be followed up with a weekly allocation of lateral flow antigen tests.
Dale Sharlow, of Carlton, also praised the news.
He said: "It is not about going back to work for me and many people, as mental health is a big issue.
"I reckon they are doing it so people can see their families again. I think they will see a rise after Christmas so this should help."
Julia Nikerina, 34, of Hyson Green, added: "If it can help it is a good idea.
"But I have heard sometimes the tests are not efficient and give false positives, I know someone who had this happen.
"If the Government spends money on it I think it will work, but I think we should have done this earlier."
