With the colder months approaching people are braced for colds and flu cases to rise – and of course there’s the ever-present concern of Covid-19.
So far over 100 cases of the new strain have been confirmed in the UK, with Pirola detected in over 15 countries across the world including Denmark, Australia, France, Japan and the US.
Of course, if you have symptoms which could indicate a Covid-19 infection – such as a temperature, cough, sore throat, runny nose or headache – you might want to test to confirm whether you have the virus, or you’re just harbouring a plain old common cold.
If you don’t have any lateral flow tests at home, where can you buy one – and can you still get them for free?
Where can you buy Covid tests?
Most big pharmacy chains sell Covid-19 tests – including Boots, Superdrug, Well and Lloyds Pharmacy – along with many supermarket chains including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda and Aldi, and high street stores such as B&M Bargains.
Alternatively you can order them from Amazon, or the Government-listed provider Randox Health – which offers delivery as well as a click and collect serviceif you want a single test.
If you do not have Covid symptoms and need a test done for other reasons – such as travel for example – you can also have a lateral flow test done at some select pharmacies or private healthcare companies.
Lloyds Pharmacy is one chain which offers this – it costs £29.99 and you’ll have the results within 15 minutes.
If you need a PCR test done many private companies will also offer this – but bear in mind it could be expensive, and you’ may have to wait up to two days for the result.
Who sells the cheapest Covid test?
Currently, Randox sells a single test for £1 – but this is on a click and collect basis only, so is only an option if you have a branch near you.
You can enter your postcode on the website when you order to see where your nearest pickup point is.
If that’s not an option, your current best bet is Superdrug, which is selling a single Flowflex test for £1.45 (reduced from its usual price of £1.95).
Boots is selling the Flowflex single test for £1.75 (reduced from £2), while it’s £1.99 in B&M Bargains, £2 in Tesco, £2.10 in Waitrose and £2.50 in Asda.
If you want to buy more than one test, you can get a pack of two from Boots for £3.45, a three-pack from Superdrug for £5.79 or a pack of five from Amazon for just £7.50.
Alternatively, if you want to really stock up, Superdrug is currently offering a box of 25 tests for £42.95.
Can you still get free Covid tests?
According to the NHS website you can still get lateral flow tests for free if you:
- Have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment
- Work in healthcare or in a hospice
If you work in healthcare or a hospice, you may only be able to get free tests depending on the job you do, and whether you have Covid symptoms.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, you should speak to your employer.
You can order one pack of seven tests every three days if you are eligible, although these may take up to three days to arrive, longer during busy periods or public holidays.
You can check whether you’re eligible for these at the Government website.
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