Two friends are sitting on the sea wall on a warm, sunny Easter Sunday, on Chalkwell Beach on April 4, 2021 in Southend-on-Sea, England.
John Keeble | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON – Everyone in England will be able to receive two free Covid tests each week, as the British government doubles its efforts to reopen the economy.
Test results are given in about 30 minutes. People living in England will be able to order the tests online or collect them locally, the government announced on Monday. The scheme, which will begin on Friday, comes as the country prepares to reopen its shops and pubs in less than 10 days. Most have been closed since the end of 2020.
“This is a very important step forward, another step that will help us, with the reduction of these restrictions, to bring life back to normal in this country,” British Health Secretary Edward Argar told Sky News on Monday.
England has been in blockade since the end of December, but for a week now, people have been allowed to meet outside in groups of up to six. At least three more benchmarks come before all legal limits on social contact are removed, hopefully by the end of June.
However, the plan for a complete reopening of the economy will depend on the evolution of the pandemic, as well as the country’s vaccination program.
To date, over 31 million people in the UK have received their first dose. More than 5 million people have now received the second vaccine.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to speak in the UK on Monday at 5pm and present plans for international travel rules.
At this time, international travel is restricted until May 17. Reports suggest that once travel abroad is allowed, quarantine rules will depend on a “traffic light system” – meaning that those traveling to “green” countries will not be forced to isolate themselves on their return to the sea. Kingdom
However, pre- and post-arrival tests may remain in place, even when they come from a destination seen as low risk.
The prime minister is also expected to mention coronavirus passports – documents that state whether a person has been vaccinated, recently tested negative for coronavirus or has natural immunity.