The UK can’t run a million tests a day forever. But cancelling or limiting free testing before the end of winter is reckless
The UK has been a world leader in free coronavirus testing throughout the pandemic. On an average day it runs around 300,000 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, and about a million people take LFTs (lateral flow tests), at no charge to the individual. These tests have provided surveillance data for new variants, and allowed infected people to rapidly isolate, protecting others from infection. Testing has also reduced anxiety among those returning to work or school environments through knowing that those sharing their space were testing regularly.
As we move towards the government’s “Living with Covid-19” strategy, it is expected that widespread access to free testing will be removed, or at least greatly reduced. Some will celebrate the freedom from having to check their infection status, while others are likely to have anxiety and concerns given that there are still considerable community transmission levels. Without access to free testing – and without public health guidance to test often – some may also feel pressured to continue to work when unwell. Management of sickness in the workplace will need consideration.
