Major changes to Covid testing start this week
MAJOR changes to Covid testing in Wales have come into force this week.
The changes will mean people can no longer book a PCR test and all sites will start closing.
People will also no longer be able to get free LFT tests unless they have symptoms.
The changes will have major implications for workplaces that have been asking staff to take an LFT test before they start work, whether they have symptoms or not.
Other changes introduced this week mean that the legal requirement to self-isolate if you have Covid has ended – however, it remains the strong recommendation that people self-isolate while they have Covid.
Self-isolation support payments of £500 will continue to be available until June.
As previously reported, rules around masks have also changed, with it now no longer a legal requirement in Wales to wear a face covering on public transport or in shops. New changes mean:
Wednesday was the last day the public were able to book a PCR test if they have symptoms;
Today, all PCR testing sites in Wales will close and free lateral flow tests to support regular asymptomatic testing in workplaces will end except for health and social care workers;
Free lateral flow tests for the public for regular asymptomatic testing will end today;
From tomorrow, if you have Covid symptoms you should use a lateral flow test to check whether you have Covid and from that date, only people eligible for Covid-19 treatments will be able to order PCR tests to be done at home; and
Routine asymptomatic testing in childcare and education settings, except special education provision, will stop on April 8.
The rules for care homes are also changing. The Social Care Transition Plan, agreed between the Welsh Government and care sector, changes the rules that should be taken between April and June.
Frontline health and social care staff will continue to have access to free lateral flow tests to undertake twice weekly testing from organisations they work for but care home workers will no longer need to undertake weekly PCR tests.
Unpaid carers who are caring for the clinically vulnerable will also be able to access lateral flow testing through their local authorities.
Care home providers should not be placing restrictions on visitor numbers or on the length and frequency of visits. If appointment systems are used they should facilitate rather than restrict visiting.
Visitors and nd visiting professionals should d provide evidence of a negative ve lateral flow test result within in the 24 hour period before the visit and care homes will l be provided with free tests sts so they can be given to visitors. Face coverings conntinue to be a legal al requirement in n health and care settings for the next three weeks when the next review takes place.
It is advised that visitors should continue to wear masks/face coverings when in public areas of care homes and when moving through the care home, but may otherwise be removed.
The number of “essential visitors” permitted during dur an outbreak will be increased inc to two and they may visit either separately or at the same tim time; the use of PPE will continue con to be recommended recomme for all staff wor working in social care sett settings but social distancing dista can be relaxed rela for social car care staff, care ho home residents and an people receiving re care at home h when there th is no evidence of Covid-19 circulating.
If an incident or an outbreak occurs, social distancing could be re-introduced as a mitigating measure.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “These changes are part of moving gradually away from the emergency response to the pandemic and beginning to live safely with coronavirus.
“We will continue to ensure we are ready and able to respond to any new variants or outbreaks as we step into this new future.
“It is important people remember that coronavirus has not gone away. Everything we do – all the small things we have learned to do to keep ourselves safe – become even more important now, especially self-isolating if we have symptoms or a positive test result.
“If we continue to work together, we can keep each other safe and keep Wales safe.”
It is important people remember that coronavirus has not gone away
Health Minister Eluned Morgan