The Government has ‘temporarily suspended’ home ordering of lateral flow test kits (LFTs) ‘to fulfil existing orders’.
However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told Pulse that everyone can still collect rapid test kits in person from a pharmacy or a test site, using a collect code.
The Government website currently informs users that ‘there are no more home tests available’ when trying to order home test kits.
It adds: ‘Sorry there are no more home tests kits available right now. Try again later. Or you can go back and try book a test site appointment instead.’
But a UKHSA spokesperson said: ‘Everyone who needs a lateral flow test can collect test kits – either at their local pharmacy, some community sites and some schools and colleges.
‘Due to exceptionally high demand, ordering lateral flow tests on gov.uk has been temporarily suspended to fulfil existing orders.’
UKSHA also expects more send-to-home tests will be available tomorrow, the spokesperson said, with people encouraged to check the site then if they are unable to collect in person.
The website suspension was to ensure UKHSA does not take orders it cannot fulfil in periods of increased demand, and availability is refreshed every day, they added.
It comes the Government published new guidance for the public on the weekend which said fully vaccinated Omicron variant contacts can take daily LFTs for seven days instead of isolating for 10 days.
People are also required to show Covid passes or negative lateral flow test to enter large events as part of the rollout of plan B restrictions.
