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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rowena Mason, Aubrey Allegretti, Hannah Devlin and Ian Sample

UK Treasury pushes to end most free Covid testing despite experts’ warnings

Mobile testing unit
Under the plans, walk-in testing centres will close across the country. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock

The Treasury is pushing for most free Covid testing to end as soon as next month to save billions despite warnings from public health experts and scientists.

Several sources told the Guardian that Rishi Sunak’s department wants to end most PCR testing for people with Covid symptoms, possibly by the end of March. The exception would be those in hospitals, high-risk settings and for the 1.3m extremely vulnerable people who are eligible for antivirals if they contract Covid.

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