UK Government hunts for test kits after PM urges swab before parties

Boris Johnson’s government is scrambling to secure supplies of Covid tests as the PM urged people to get swabbed before New Year parties.

Ministers acknowledged a worldwide supply issue is hitting the UK as people again struggled to get tests through pharmacies or delivered to their home.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the problem is caused by global demand.

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said patients are often unable to find tests in chemists because of “patchy” supplies.

The government website showed no PCR tests available for home delivery – even for essential workers – in England or Northern Ireland, with “very few” in Scotland, while Wales had availability only in some regions.

Home delivery slots for lateral flow tests were also unavailable yesterday.

The government has encouraged regular testing as a way of keeping England’s economy open while the devolved administrations have taken other steps to limit social contact.

Tests are also being used to replace selfisolation for contacts of confirmed Covid cases.

During a visit to a vaccination centre in

Milton Keynes yesterday, Mr Johnson urged people to get tested before New Year’s Eve festivities.

He said: “Everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way – take a test, ventilation, think about others but, above all, get a booster.”

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “The failure to make enough tests available weeks after they became a requirement is a total shambles.

“People are trying to do the right thing, follow the government’s own advice, and test themselves regularly, but are prevented by the Conservative Government’s incompetence.

There are no official NHS figures on the vaccination status of people in intensive care but medics say the vast majority have not had all their vaccines.

“Take a test, think about others but, above all, get a booster