Home delivery of lateral flow tests is not possible for the second consecutive day as anxious Britons wait for results to determine if they’re Covid-free before New Year’s Eve festivities.
Yesterday was the announcement that it wasn’t possible to order kits for lateral flow testing for home delivery via the Government website.
Today the message is still in effect.:
You may be able still to get rapid lateral flow testing from your local pharmacy. If you don’t have symptoms, only pick up the tests.

Today, the same message has appeared as yesterday, stating : ‘Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now’

Britons are eligible to receive lateral flow testing at no cost from any pharmacy on the NHS site

After yesterday’s England shortages, appointment slots for PCR tests now are available. However, the UK Health Security Agency said that this was a temporary situation.
UKHSA spokeswoman said that testing is an important part of keeping people safe, and controlling the spread Covid-19.
“We’re very thankful to all who follow the guidance of Government and get tested in order to protect their families, loved ones, and communities.
“Everyone who has symptoms should come forward and get a PCR testing done.
The message reminded people not to order from NHS111 and 999 numbers, so they were encouraged to get tests at their local pharmacy.
According to the government’s website, these tests can be used instead if they are not taken at school.
The 119 service also stated that it ‘doesn’t have access to any more home delivery slots at the moment’.
UKHSA spokeswoman said that despite unprecedented demand, they continue to provide millions of rapid flow tests each day.
“Our delivery capacity has increased to 900,000.00 test kits per hour since Saturday, 18 December. This allows more people to order tests.
“During times of extraordinary demand, there might be temporary pauses when ordering or receiving tests. This is to ensure that we manage distribution throughout the system, support changing needs for LFD/PCR tests and provide delivery capacity reductions over Christmas and bank holidays.
You can order ‘Rapid Tests’ directly from your home via gov.uk. The availability of these tests is updated throughout the day.
‘We encourage people to re-visit the site every few hours if they are unable to order tests as more will become available – and to please ensure they are making use of any tests they already have at home before ordering or collecting more.’


Boris Johnson has just reviewed data which will show how Christmas holidays have affected the number of Covid cases.
To determine whether further measures are required to prevent the spread Omicron variant, the Prime Minister should use these data.
A public health expert advised that people use tests “responsibly” in the face of the severe shortage.
Azeem Majeed (head of primary care at Imperial College London) said via Twitter, ‘I hear about people performing multiple lateral flow test in one day.
“The test are not in sufficient supply in many areas of England. This practice will only exacerbate the supply problem, even for important workers like NHS staff. The tests should be used responsibly.
The government has not delivered lateral flow tests for at least six times. The CDC urges residents to take tests to their local pharmacy.