£ 120 SPEEDY BOOTS TEST
BOOTS is launching a coronavirus testing service which will provide results in 12 minutes.
The speedy test, which will initially cost £ 120, has proved to be 97% accurate in trials and should be available at some stores within a fortnight.
The service could allow more people to be able to travel, avel, mix with friends and family and d to reery return to offices.
A 48- hour testing service has been recently launched by the chain n and it is hoped 200 branches will offer tests by Christmas.
Chief executive e Sebastian James, pictured, icway said the test is a way to allow Britons to get on with their lives again.
He said: “We don’t want to make a profit out of it. We are just covering our costs as there is a big upfront outlay for all the kit.”
And he added: “My thinking is that if the volume is large we will be able to bring the price down. I’m hoping lots of people will want it, then we can make the price more accessible.” The £ 120 fee covers third- party laboratory testing, courier services, digital services, staff wages and VAT. Mr James said: “We believe we are the cheapest private test.
“We think it is pretty good value compar compared with others on the high street, which range fro from £ 270 at the very expensive p end to about £ 150 in online clinics.” The tests, which will b be distributed to stores o over the next few weeks, ar are aimed at people with no symptoms but who are seeki seeking peace of mind. Those who believe they have Covid- 19 are still being advised to go to an NHS testing station.
Boots has bought 100 portable devices from US diagnostics firm Lumira. The tests will be administered by trained staff in private rooms at the retailer’s stores.