This week marks the end of coronavirus testing in Wales as we know it. On Monday the Welsh Government announced a timetable of changes as part of efforts to gradually move beyond the emergency response to the pandemic.
It means PCR testing will be scrapped for almost everyone, all testing sites will be shut down and free lateral flow tests will only be offered to people who are displaying symptoms of the virus. Only health and care workers will be able to access regular free asymptomatic testing in their workplaces.
The Welsh Government claims that these changes to its Test Trace Protect programme are focused on "protecting the most vulnerable, limiting their risk of infection and ensuring testing capacity is maintained to monitor outbreaks and detect any new variants".
Read more: The exact situation with Covid hospitalisations in Wales as testing ends
Here is a rundown of the changes coming into force this week and next in Wales:
- Wednesday, March 30: the last day the public will be able to book a PCR test if they have symptoms;
- Thursday, March 31: all PCR testing sites in Wales will start closing and free lateral flow tests to support regular asymptomatic testing in workplaces will end except for health and social care workers;
- Thursday, March 31: Free lateral flow tests for the public for regular asymptomatic testing will end;
- Friday, April 1: if you have Covid symptoms you should use a lateral flow test to check whether you have Covid and from that date, only people eligible for Covid-19 treatments will be able to order PCR tests to be done at home;
- Friday, April 8: Routine asymptomatic testing in childcare and education settings, except special education provision, will stop.
Meanwhile face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in shops and on public transport and the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive has ceased. However, the guidance from the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales is for people to continue to isolate and get a lateral flow test if they have the tell-tale signs of the virus. The self-isolation payment will continue to be available until June.
Understandably, this huge overhaul of testing and Covid rules has left many people a little confused. Here are some of the most common questions we've been asked about the changes.
When should I send my children to school?
Schools have been one of the most affected parts of life during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many children struggled with working from home, and there are fears some young people's education has been adversely impacted.
As the legal requirement to self-isolate ended on Monday, March 28, parents would not be breaking the law if they sent their child to school if they had signs of Covid-19. However, the strong guidance from Public Health Wales is for everyone above the age of five to self-isolate and get a lateral flow test should they have a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of or change to sense of smell or taste. If they then test positive the guidance is for them to self-isolate for five days. If two consecutive negative results are recorded on day five and six that person can leave isolation.
The Welsh Government states that schools are still expected to reduce close interactions between all individuals "wherever possible", so one-way systems and staggered starting/pick-up times will remain in place. Schools should also encourage older learners to maintain distancing where possible. Ministers say schools must follow the 'reasonable measures' guidance which sets out requirements on employers to carry out risk assessments.
On Friday, First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed that the guidance to schools will remain unchanged until the end of term. "We will work closely with partners on the arrangements for after Easter. In the meantime, face coverings should be worn by staff, secondary school learners and visitors in communal areas outside the classroom," he said.
The routine asymptomatic testing of staff in childcare and education settings, except special education provision, will stop at the end of term on April 8.
What is the situation in care homes?
A new social care transition plan has been published by the Welsh Government which sets out new arrangements for care homes between April and June. Like the rest of society, any person living in a care home who displays any signs of Covid should get themselves an LFT test. But there is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate.
Frontline health and social care staff will continue to have access to free lateral flow tests to undertake twice weekly testing from their employers. However, care home workers will no longer need to undertake weekly PCR tests as they have done throughout the majority of the pandemic. Unpaid carers who are caring for the clinically vulnerable will also be able to access lateral flow testing through their local authorities.
Despite the rise in Covid cases in communities, the Welsh Government has emphasised that care home visiting "should be welcomed and encouraged". It states: "Care home providers should not be placing restrictions on visitor numbers or on the length and frequency of visits. If appointment systems are used they should facilitate rather than restrict visiting."
The government said visitors and visiting professionals should provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test result within the 24-hour period before the visit. Care homes will be provided with free tests so they can be given to visitors.
Face coverings continue to be a legal requirement in health and care settings for the next three weeks. It is advised that visitors should continue to wear masks when in public areas of care homes and when moving through the care home, but may otherwise be removed.
Meanwhile the use of PPE will continue to be recommended for all staff working in social care settings but social distancing can be relaxed for social care staff, care home residents and people receiving care at home when there is no evidence of Covid-19 circulating. "If an incident or an outbreak occurs, social distancing could be re-introduced as a mitigating measure," the Welsh Government added.
Where can I get Covid tests now?
As mentioned previously, free lateral flow tests for regular asymptomatic testing will end on Thursday, March 31. It means that from Friday, April 1 you should only use a lateral flow test to check whether you have Covid if you have symptoms.
LFTs can be ordered from gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by calling 119. If you test positive you should report your results www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result and isolate for a minimum of five full days and take lateral flow tests on day five and day six (if both negative) before leaving isolation.
Click here to sign up to our Daily Newsletter for the latest news and top stories from Wales Online.
