People unable to work from home can order Covid-19 tests online

Volunteers and residents who are unable to work from home can now order a free lateral flow self-test kit to be delivered direct to their home.

Improving the availability of lateral flow tests will make regular asymptomatic testing for coronavirus more convenient and accessible for people not covered under existing schemes at workplaces, childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities.

Lateral flow self-tests are also available to collect from the Bowls Centre Car Park in Bridgend between 8am and 1pm, seven days a week. No appointment is needed.

Each person will routinely be able to collect or have delivered two packs of seven lateral flow self-test kits for home use. It is recommended that they are undertaken twice a week with every result be recorded on the UK Government portal (External link – Opens in a new tab or window).

The tests are easy to use and can give results in 30 minutes. It’s recommended the tests are done in the morning and three to four days apart.

If there is a positive result, the person should self-isolate immediately and book a Covid test (PCR test) within 24 hours by calling 119, by visiting the Welsh Government website (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) or via the NHS Covid-19 app.

If negative, another test should be taken three to four days later. However, if coronavirus symptoms develop during that time, a Covid test should be booked.

Rapid tests, or lateral flow tests, are currently offered to the following groups and they should continue to access their tests as they do now:

• NHS and social care workers
• Teachers and childcare providers
• Learners from Years 7 and above including university students
• Workplaces with 10 or more employees registered under the workplace testing programme

About one in three people may have Covid-19 without displaying symptoms which means asymptomatic testing is an important means to find cases to keep people safe as restrictions are gradually eased.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething:

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to access tests and we particularly want to support people who volunteer or are unable to work from home to get regularly tested.

“As we continue to ease restrictions routine testing of asymptomatic people will be an additional tool to help tackle the spread of the virus and keep Wales safe.”

For more information or to order a test kit, visit Welsh Government’s lateral flow Covid-19 testing webpage (External link – Opens in a new tab or window).

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms – a persistent dry cough, high temperature or change in their sense of taste of smell – should self-isolate and book a test online or by calling 119.