COVID-19: England launches mass testing programme to track pandemic

England launched mass testing programme to track the pandemic as society reopens and the vaccine rollout continues at its rapid rate.

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said on Monday in a statement that everyone will be able to take a COVID-19 test twice a week and the new mass testing programme would break the chain of transmissions and spot cases without symptoms.

Johnson has set out a plan to ease restrictions in the coming months, a huge boost for one of the worst-hit countries during the pandemic.

“As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine programme and with our roadmap to cautiously easing restrictions underway, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted,” he said.

Edward Argar, Junior health minister said the tests would be sent to homes, businesses, picked up from pharmacies, test centres. Adding that he is confident people would isolate.

“People are doing the right thing,” Argar said.

The increased testing will help health officials to track the pandemic as the country slowly reopens from a strict four-month lockdown.

Johnson is expected to confirm that all retail, outdoor hospitality and hairdressers can reopen on April 12 in England, while a traffic-light system for countries based on infection and vaccination levels will be used for international travel.

Britain is able to pursue a recovery after it gave AstraZeneca and Pfizer shots to over half the adult population. A reopening of schools in March has also not yet led to a spike in cases, despite increased testing.

Kamila/Reuters