Wolverhampton’s Covid-19 rapid lateral flow and PCR test centres have now closed, as the Government phases out free testing for the majority of individuals.

Wolverhampton’s Covid-19 rapid lateral flow and PCR test centres have now closed, as the Government phases out free testing for the majority of individuals. For more information please view Rapid test centres close as Covid guidance changes.

Symptomatic testing

From 1 April, free tests for people who have Covid-19 symptoms will continue to be provided to the following groups:

  • NHS patients in hospital, who will be tested via the established NHS testing programme
  • those eligible for COVID-19 antiviral and other treatments, who will be sent a pack of tests and can request replacements if they need them
  • NHS staff and staff working in NHS-funded independent healthcare provision – the current lateral flow test ordering portal will remain available for this group to order their own tests
  • adult social care staff in care homes, homecare organisations, extra care and supported living settings and adult day care centres, as well as residents in care homes and extra care and supported living settings via the established organisation ordering portal
  • adult social care social workers, personal assistants, Shared Lives carers and CQC inspectors will be able to order tests from the current online lateral flow ordering system
  • staff and patients in hospices will be supplied tests by the hospice
  • staff and detainees in prisons and other places of detention will be supplied tests by the detention premises as currently happens
  • staff and detainees in immigration removal centres will be supplied tests, as currently happens, by the organisation concerned
  • staff and users of high-risk domestic abuse refuges and homelessness settings.

Asymptomatic testing

From 1 April, free tests for people without symptoms of Covid-19 will continue to be provided for:

  • adult social care staff and a small number of visitors providing personal care
  • hospice staff
  • patient-facing staff in the NHS and NHS-funded independent healthcare provision
  • some staff in prisons and other places of detention, and some refuges and shelters
  • Care home outbreak testing for all staff and residents will also continue all year.

Please note, rapid test kits will continue to be available to purchase from various high street pharmacies and other retailers for people who are not eligible for free testing.
 
For full details of the changes, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus

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