Free frontline worker Covid-19 tests continue

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed free access to lateral flow tests will continue for NHS staff after universal testing ends on April 1.

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has welcomed the support for the safety of optical teams. AOP’s chief executive Adam Sampson commented: ‘This decision will help protect optical teams and their patients from infection and reduce the spread of the virus while prevalence remains high.

‘No doubt, the added assurances to continue asymptomatic lateral flow testing within existing funding arrangements comes as a relief to many eye care practitioners – most of whom spend their day working in close proximity to patients in the testing room.’