Free lateral flow tests to be made available until end of July

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Access to free lateral flow tests (LFTs) will be extended in Wales until the end of July, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has confirmed.

Free LFTs had been set to end in Wales at the end of this month.

Tests will now continue to be available free of charge to people showing Covid symptoms until July 31.

The announcement has been made following a recent increase in new cases, with the emergence of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Covid.

Statistics from the Office for National Statistics show one in 45 people in Wales currently have the virus.

Mrs Morgan also announced testing will remain in place for health and social care staff, as well as hospital patients awaiting an operation and care home residents returning from inpatient hospital stays.

Symptomatic care home residents and prisoners will also continue to be tested using PCR tests.

Meanwhile, those visiting people in care homes will still be advised to use tests provided to them by the care homes.

Making the announcement, Mrs Morgan said: “Testing has been an effective tool in breaking the chain of transmission and with an increase in cases its vital that we keep testing in place to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

“As we have seen before, Covid can quickly change. I am announcing this extension in response to the changing picture and new variants of concern.”

The minister also urged people to “take protective measures to protect the more vulnerable in the community, wear masks in health and care settings, stay at home if you test positive, and take up the offer for the vaccine”

She continued: “We know that the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself. I would urge those eligible to have their spring booster if they have not already had it. The booster is available until June 30.”

It has also been announced that self-isolation payments of £500 will come to an end on June 30, while the Covid-19 Statutory Sick Pay Enhancement scheme, which supports social care staff of work with Covid, will be extended until August 31.