Will the Covid winter plan extend free Rapid Antigen tests?

Access to the government’s free Rapid Antigen tests, which was to end by September initially, is being extended as part of the Covid winter plan.

Rapid Antigen tests (also referred to as Lateral Flow tests) are currently being supplied by the NHS free of charge. The arrangement was previously meant to run only until 30 September. However, as of the PM’s announcement of the government’s Covid winter plan, the access to free Lateral flow tests have been extended for an undecided period.

Read about How to get the NHS rapid lateral flow tests

The importance of Rapid Antigen tests has been emphasised in the government’s report outlining plans for the coming autumn and winter.

The report states: ‘Rapid asymptomatic testing is an important tool to help reduce the spread of the virus, while supporting people to manage their own risk and the risks to others. The Government will therefore continue to provide the public with access to free lateral flow tests in the coming months.

‘People may wish to use regular rapid testing to help manage periods of risk such as after close contact with others in a higher risk environment, or before spending prolonged time with a more vulnerable person.

‘At a later stage, as the government’s response to the virus changes, universal free provision of LFDs will end, and individuals and businesses using the tests will bear the cost.

‘The government will engage widely on the form of this model as it is developed, recognising that rapid testing could continue to have an important, ongoing role to play in future.’

As the Rapid Antigen tests can only be used by asymptomatic persons, it is extremely useful for detecting infections in them. According to statistics, a third of the people infected with COVID-19 never exhibit symptoms but are still able to pass on the virus to others. The NHS advises that everyone use Lateral Flow tests every 3-4 days.

While addressing the matter in the Commons, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, ‘test and trace, regular asymptomatic testing and support for those self-isolating and eligible will continue.’

He went on to add, ‘Over the autumn and winter, PCR testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms and contacts of confirmed cases will continue to be available free of charge.

‘Regular asymptomatic testing which identifies currently around a quarter of all reported cases, will also continue in the coming months with a focus on those who are not fully vaccinated, perhaps those in education or in other higher risk settings. And contact tracing will continue through the NHS Test and Trace system.’

While the Covid plan for the upcoming winter months will be far from the restrictive event the previous year’s winter had become, a few more reforms are on the horizon to help fend off the anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases.

The traffic light system that moderates foreign travel may see a drastic update. Currently, there are three categories the countries around the world are divided into depending on their COVID-19 risk factors: red, amber, and green lists. This system could be replaced by one involving a ‘low risk’ countries group and a ‘high risk’ one (with the same travel rules restrictions as the current ‘red list’ countries).

Furthermore, travel PCR tests may be dropped for fully vaccinated travellers. The expectation is that the new rule will involve replacing PCR tests with Lateral Flow tests.

Read more PCR tests or Lateral Flow tests: Which to take?

While the vaccination programme will continue, an additional focus will be put on providing over-50s and other high priority groups with booster jabs. Moreover, there are plans to inoculate children between the ages of 12 and 15 years.

Regardless of the implementation of such measures over autumn and winter, the government has a contingency for if matters take a turn for the worse. The government may activate a Plan B if the NHS becomes overwhelmed as a result of rising COVID-19 cases.

The government’s Plan B will involve vaccine passport requirements for attending nightclubs and crowded events, work from home measures and mandatory mask-wearing when indoors and travelling in public transport.

As Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the upcoming reforms, he said: ‘The pandemic is far from over, but thanks to our phenomenal vaccine programme, new treatments and testing we are able to live with the virus without significant restrictions on our freedoms.

‘Today I will set out a clear plan for the autumn and winter, when the virus has a natural advantage, to protect the gains we have made.’

While the government’s free Rapid Antigens will be available for a few months to come, they are strictly not to be used for foreign travel or holiday purposes. If you need the tests for travel, you may opt for VIVO Clinic’s Rapid Antigen tests for travel.