The UK Government is announcing that free lateral flow tests (LFTs) are coming to an end, and anyone who wants to find out whether they have Covid-19 will have to pay.
LFTs have been used throughout the pandemic as simple home tests that quickly tell you whether you have contracted Covid-19.
Schools have been asking pupils to take regular tests, and people in some professions have needed daily LFTs to make sure they don't pass on the virus.
Anyone with symptoms has been asked to tests themselves 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.
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:
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