Coronavirus testing rules for people without symptoms are to be temporarily eased across the UK next week.
From Tuesday, January 11, asymptomatic people in England who test positive on a lateral flow device (LFD) will no longer require a confirmatory PCR test. However, they must still self-isolate immediately.
A similar system will be implemented in Northern Ireland immediately and in Scotland and Wales from Thursday.
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Previously, people who tested positive on a lateral flow were asked to order a PCR test and only begin their isolation period when they received the second result. That would be mean isolating for longer while the result of the PCR test was confirmed.
Anyone with symptoms should still get a PCR test. It is hoped the move will free up capacity in laboratories for those PCR tests to be processed more quickly.
Under this new approach, anyone who receives a positive LFD test result should report their result on gov.uk and must self-isolate immediately.
After reporting a positive LFD test result, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so that their contacts can be traced and must continue to self-isolate.
However, there are exceptions to the new rules.
Some people may still need to get a confirmatory PCR test after getting a positive LFD result, including people who are eligible for the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP).
These people will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR to gain access to the financial support.
People participating in research or surveillance programmes may also be asked to take a PCR test following a positive LFD result, in accordance with the programme protocol.
In Wales, those who are in the “clinically vulnerable” group will also still need to take a PCR test.
In addition, around one million people in England who are at particular risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 have been identified by the NHS as being potentially eligible for new treatments.
They will be receiving a PCR test kit at home by mid-January to use if they develop symptoms or if they get a positive LFD result, as they may be eligible for new treatments if they receive a positive PCR result.
This group should use these priority PCR tests when they have symptoms as it will enable prioritised laboratory handling.
