Government temporarily suspends PCR tests for positive lateral flows
By Rachel Lawler
The government has announced that from 11 January people in England who receive a positive lateral flow test result will no longer be required to get a confirmatory PCR test and will have to immediately self-isolate.
This is said to be a 鈥榯emporary measure鈥 while rates of Covid-19 remain high across the country.
The government says that with the current prevalence of the virus, the 鈥榲ast majority鈥 of those testing positive using lateral flow tests 鈥渃an be confident that they have Covid-19鈥.
Those who develop one of the three main symptoms of Covid-19 should still self-isolate and take a PCR test.
Anyone testing positive using a PCR test must still self-isolate, even if they have a recent negative result on a lateral flow test.
Those that receive a positive lateral flow test result should report their result online and must self-isolate immediately. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to identify their close contacts.
Those that are eligible for the 拢500 Test and Trace Support Payment will still be asked to take a confirmatory PCR test in order to access financial support.
Find out more