Plans revealed for new rapid Covid-19 test

Matt Hancock said a new rapid Covid-19 test that also picks up winter illnesses can be administered by non-healthcare professionals.

He told the Commons about the new “rapid test for coronavirus and other winter viruses that’ll help provide on-the-spot results in under 90 minutes helping us to break chains of transmission quickly”.

He added: “These tests do not require a trained health professional to operate them, so they can be rolled out in more non-clinical settings.”

The Health Secretary also outlined details of the “pay to isolate” scheme.

He said: “Today we also launch our new system of pay to isolate. We want to support people on low incomes in areas with a high incidence of Covid-19 who need to self-isolate and are unable to work from home.

“Under the scheme, people who test positive for the virus will receive £130 for the 10-day period they have to stay at home. Other contacts including, for instance, members of their own household who have to self-isolate for 14-days will be entitled to a payment of £182.”

Published: 01/09/2020 by Radio NewsHub