Johnson Pushes Twice-Weekly Covid Tests to Help Reopen U.K.

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Apr 05 2021, 4:31 AMApr 05 2021, 10:25 PMApril 05 2021, 4:31 AMApril 05 2021, 10:25 PM

(Bloomberg) -- Everyone in England will be urged to take a coronavirus test twice a week as a new system of Covid passports is assessed for wide-scale use, under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to reopen the economy after lockdown.

Free test kits will be made available through local pharmacies, community centers and home delivery services, when the new regime goes live on April 9.

With most of the adult population now having received a vaccine, the government believes rapid testing of the whole population and a system of Covid status certification will help keep control over the pandemic as restrictions are eased.

Johnson is due to set out the details later on Monday, ahead of the next step in lifting curbs for businesses and citizens due on April 12.

“Massive efforts have been made by the British public to stop the spread of the virus,” Johnson said in a statement released by his office. “As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine program and with our road-map to cautiously easing restrictions underway, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted.”

A QuickTake explainer on the different kinds of tests

The U.K. has suffered the highest death toll in Europe from the pandemic and is still reeling from the country’s deepest recession in 300 years.

A vaccination program that has rapidly outpaced the rest of Europe has seen 31.5 million people given at least one shot so far, and puts the U.K. in a good position to reopen even as nearby countries such as France are locking down again.

Under Johnson’s plans:

Many of the measures contained in Johnson’s plan will need to pass votes in Parliament. Johnson is likely to face battling demands from some of his own Conservative Party colleagues to lift the lockdown faster, while more than 70 members of Parliament have launched a campaign to oppose vaccine passports, citing concerns over the erosion of liberties.

Unlocking Timetable

Date	Measure
April 5	Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide an update on international travel, Covid passports, testing
April 12 at earliest	Non essential retail and personal care businesses such as hairdressers, nail salons to reopen Libraries, museums, other public buildings to reopen Most outdoor attractions, including zoos and theme parks to reopen Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and pools to reopen Hospitality to reopen for outdoor service only Attendance at weddings, wakes rises from 6 to 15
April 15	Government target for vaccinating all over-50s
May 17 at earliest	The earliest date at which foreign travel can resume Most outdoor social contact rules lifted, but gatherings of more than 30 people in parks and gardens remain illegal Indoor mixing allowed for two households of any size or 6 people from more than two households Indoor hospitality, hotels and bed and breakfasts reopen Entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas re-open Indoor performances and sporting events can host crowds of up to 1,000 people or be half-full, whichever is lower Outdoor venues and sporting events can host crowds of 4,000 or be half-full, whichever is lower. The largest outdoor venues, such as the biggest soccer stadiums, can host 10,000 people or be a quarter full, whichever is lower Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions, wakes, funerals and other life events such as bar mitzvahs and christenings
Before June 21	Review to report on whether Covid status certification can play a role in reducing restrictions on social contact and reopening the economy Review to report on social distancing measures, including on use of face masks, working from home
June 21 at earliest	All limits on social contact to be lifted Final sectors of the economy, such as night clubs, allowed to reopen Restrictions lifted on large events and performances Restrictions lifted on attendance to weddings and other life events