No coronavirus ‘home tests available for key workers’ despite promise

On Thursday’s Downing Street press briefing millions of key workers were told they are eligible for coronavirus testing.

Millions of key workers went online this morning to book their home testing to find a message that appears to suggest it had run out of availability.

A message on the website read, “We’ve issued today’s allocation of home test kits. If you need a home test kit, check back here tomorrow, when more will be available.

“You can continue if you’re able to visit a drive through test centre,” this was later removed.

Information on the gov.uk website reads, “Essential workers using the new portal can enter their details and will then receive a text or email the same day inviting them to either book an appointment at one of more than 30 drive-through testing sites across the country, or receive a home testing kit.

“The aim is that most people should not have to drive for more than 45 minutes to get to a regional testing site.

“However, additional testing methods are being rolled-out to support testing accessibility.”

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at the press briefing, “We can make it easier, faster and simpler for any essential worker who needs a test to get a test.”

The website says the availability of testing kits “will initially be limited, but more will come available.”

The Health Secretary has said it is still too early to relax lockdown measures, but he is “comfortable” for some businesses to reopen.

He told Sky News that the UK is not yet ready for social distancing measures to be eased as the daily number of deaths is still high, despite figures falling.