People across England are currently unable to book a PCR test in any part of the country after "spikes in demand".
According to the government website, there are no PCR tests available in any regions of England or Northern Ireland, with home testing kits also not available.
When the Manchester Evening News checked the website at 11am, the nearest available testing site for people in Manchester was located in Deeside Industrial Park - just over the Welsh border.
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Home testing kits could not be sent out to the general public or to essential workers, and people in need of a test were urged to book a slot at a test site.
Some councils are handing out tests in their area, with the kits able to be picked up and completed at home.
The drive-in site over 40 miles away from Greater Manchester can only be accessed by car, with people told they cannot get pedestrian access to the site, or travel there by public transport or taxi.
This leaves households without a car completely unable to access Covid tests at this time, with lateral flow tests also becoming increasingly more difficult to get your hands on.
It means people hoping to use a PCR or lateral flow test before being able to enjoy New Year's Eve could have their plans thrown into doubt due to a lack of supply.
The government website says: "Tests need to go to essential workers first, including NHS and social care staff.
"If you cannot get a test now, try again later. You will not be able to get a test through the helplines."
Health bosses have reportedly been left worried by the limited availability of tests, with fears about the impact the shortage could have on healthcare workers.
Last week, NHS staff absence across the region was up at 10 per cent - leaving officials concerned about staffing levels as many members of staff needed to self-isolate or were unwell.
There has also been issues with lateral flow test kit availability.
People have been turning up to pharmacies for lateral flow tests 'every five minutes' over the Christmas period - and have often been unable to get one - it has been reported.
Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said it has been a 'huge problem' in recent weeks.
She said patients are often unable to find the Covid tests in pharmacies because of 'patchy and inconsistent' supplies.
She added that the current daily influx of 900,000 tests has not been meeting the high demand.
Earlier today, Work and Pensions minister Chloe Smith said people should 'persevere' in their efforts to get tests.
She told BBC Breakfast: “Of course, what we’re seeing is increased demand for testing, which is good and sensible because that’s part of people having been cautious, I think, and being sensible around Christmas and around New Year. So, we’re seeing spikes of demand.
“What we’ve done in response to that then is double the delivery capacity – so we’ve taken action to make sure that people can get [lateral flow] testing kits delivered to them at home. An additional method to that, of course, is going to a pharmacy.
“I quite understand that people will be wanting to make sure that the testing kits are there – that follows on from people having been doing the right thing in being cautious and in wanting to be tested, perhaps before big events or family gatherings.
“What I would say is to please persevere with either making use of your friendly local pharmacy or using the delivery method on the Gov.uk website.
“Even whilst there have been periods of great demand on that, and every so often we’ve had to replenish the means behind the scenes there, that is happening and the delivery is occurring.”
Officials have urged people to get tested before travelling to celebrate the New Year "sensibly and cautiously".
However, Labour's Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting called the shortage of tests a "total shambles".
He said: "The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.
“People are trying to do the right thing, follow the government’s own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative Government’s incompetence.
“They need to get a grip and provide enough tests so people can keep themselves and everyone else safe.”
