Boris Johnson will today urge everybody to take two Covid tests a week to help safeguard the unlocking of the country.
At a press conference this evening, the Prime Minister will confirm the next stage of the release from lockdown is on schedule – with shops, gyms and hairdressers allowed to reopen from next week.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will also be allowed a limited reopening for outdoor customers.
However, ministers fear that even this cautious freeing of the economy could lead to a surge in cases that could slow the further release from lockdown, or even send it into reverse.
To help combat this, they will today unveil a multi-billion-pound scheme inviting everyone in England to take two free Covid tests per week.
The fast-turnaround tests, which produce results in just half an hour, do not require lab analysis and will be available for use at home.
Mr Johnson last night said the huge testing programme was needed to ensure that the sacrifices made in recent months ‘are not wasted’.
The UK recorded a further 10 Covid deaths on Sunday for the second day in a row – a 47 per cent drop on the previous Sunday. The last time the country’s daily death toll was this low was on September 14, 2020, when nine deaths and 2,621 cases were recorded.
Today is set to be a momentous day in the battle against the virus with Mr Johnson also expected to set out a new traffic light system for future foreign travel.
