SUPER FAST

New British 5-minute Covid test hailed as key to unlocking live events for masses

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A FIVE-minute British-made Covid-19 test could be a “game changer” in rescuing live music, sporting events and theatre.

The new super-fast lateral flow test, developed by Yorkshire firm Avacta, claims to be more accurate and faster than US devices in use.

It is thought the device is in the final stages of testing at the Government’s Porton Down lab.

Results could be announced with Boris Johnson’s “roadmap” for leaving lockdown on Monday.

Current “rapid” tests still take around 30 minutes – making them less useful for opening mass events.

Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive of UK Music, said: “If approved and found to be effective, this test could be a game changer in the effort to rescue British live music and save our summer.”

Vaccines Minister Nadhim

Zahawi hinted this week at a rapid testing breakthrough to “open some venues”. Once approved, it could be rolled out as soon as April.

It comes as experts said vaccine passports that could unlock foreign holidays are “feasible”.

Hotels in a host of destinations are gearing up to demand proof of vaccination in a bid to encourage holidaymakers to book getaways. In a report published yesterday scientists said consistent standards need to be set across countries before introducing passports.

Professor Christopher Dye, of Oxford University and one of the lead authors, said: “First there is the science of immunity, then the challenges of something working across the world that is durable, reliable and secure. There are the legal and ethical issues and if you can crack all that, you have to have the trust of the people.”

He said “huge progress” has been made but “we are not there yet”.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said it would be “wrong” for him to speculate on whether