Best to take the virus test

REGULAR RAPID TESTING IS A VITAL STEP FOR STOPPING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, PARTICULARLY AS PUPILS SETTLE BACK IN AT SCHOOL. HERE’S HOW THE TESTS CAN HELP PROTECT YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES

When you can’t work from home or you are a parent with children who are back at school or college, regular rapid testing can help to keep you and your loved ones safe.

One in three people with Covid-19 don’t show symptoms, so it’s vital to remain vigilant as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, and getting into the habit of taking rapid tests at home will help stop the spread of the virus. The impact of vaccination on transmission isn’t yet known, so even if you’ve had both doses you could still be able to give Covid to someone else.

You’re more likely to catch Covid from people you spend time with – so testing twice a week (and following self-isolation guidelines if the result is positive) will help to break the chain of transmission. Whether negative, positive or even void, you should report the result at gov.uk/report-covid19-result or call 119.

Testing and isolating play an important role alongside the vaccination programme and the ‘ hands, face, space, air’ guidelines. (Wash your hands, cover your face, make space and open the windows to make sure rooms are well ventilated.)

Testing is free, quick and easy, and you can do it at home. Millions of people are already taking the tests – in the NHS, at workpla ce s and in secondary schools.

Tests are available to f a mi l i e s a n d support bubbles of school children and people who have to be in a workplace.

Find out where you can pick up the test kits at gov.uk/ getting-tested-forcoronavirus.