Where to buy lateral flows online, as free coronavirus testing ends in England
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Most people in England will now have to pay for lateral flow tests to check whether they have coronavirus, as the government has stopped providing free NHS tests to the general population.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are no longer required to do a rapid lateral flow or PCR test. But the government is still advising those with symptoms to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people, especially those at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
If you still want to get tested and you're not eligible for a free NHS test, you will need buy a COVID-19 test.
Some employers may require staff to test before returning to work after a possible coronavirus infection and those travelling abroad are advised to check the current travel guidance for all countries they will visit or travel through, to learn what tests are necessary before they depart.
If you are planning to travel, it is important to check what type of tests will be recognised by the countries you are travelling to or through, as many lateral flow tests available to buy in pharmacies will not have their results verified and cannot be used for travel, therefore a specific travel test may be needed.
Who can still get free NHS lateral flow tests?
The government's lateral flow testing website is still operational and in England the following people are still eligible to order free test kits:
People who are immunosuppressed, or have specific medical conditions that mean they may have a reduced ability to cope with infections (details can be found on the government website).
People who have been advised to get a test by their doctor or a healthcare professional.
Some NHS workers and some people who work in the adult social care sector.
Where can I buy lateral flow tests online and how much do they cost?
The government has created an approved list of coronavirus test providers. Many of the companies on the list are only providing PCR tests or the more expensive "fit to fly" lateral flow tests that are not necessarily necessary if you just want to test for your own peace of mind and have no plans to travel.
Some major providers on the list with nationwide delivery include:
Boots | Shop here
Boots is stocking Flowflex lateral flow test kits, with single test packs costing £2, two test kits costing £3.95, sets of four tests costing £7.90, five tests for £9.80 and packs of 25 tests for £49.
Boots does also offer verified lateral flow tests with a certificate for travel.
Buy it: Flowflex Antigen Rapid Test Lateral Flow Self-Testing Kit 2 Kit Bundle | £3.95 at Boots
Superdrug | Shop here
Superdrug stocks single Flowflex lateral flow tests for £1.95 and packs of five tests for £9.59. Plus, there is the option to order a Medicspot Lateral Flow Day 2 / Fit to Fly Travel test for £19.99.
Buy it: Flowflex Lateral Flow Test SARS-CoV-2 Antigen pack of 1 | £1.95 at Superdrug
Lloyds Pharmacy | Shop here
Lloyds Pharmacy stocks a wider range of lateral flow tests. A single FlowFlex test costs £1.89, a pack of two Flowflex tests cost £3.75, while four costs £7.49. There is also the option to purchase tests made by Step Ahead, which cost £2 for one test or £9.29 for five.
Lloyds also stocks MyHealthChecked PCR fit to fly tests and a COVID antibody test kit.
Buy it: Step Ahead COVID-19 lateral flow test | £2 at Lloyds Pharmacy
ExpressTest | Shop here
ExpressTest allows you to bulk buy Flowflex lateral flow tests in pack sizes ranging in price from £25 for five tests, to £240 for a pack of 60.
There is also the option to book fit to fly PCR tests at test centres, with prices starting from £59. Or you can buy fit to fly lateral flow tests from £12, with the caveat that they are not as widely accepted as PCR tests.
Buy it: Antigen Lateral Flow Test - Pack of 60 | £240 at ExpressTest
Tesco is also stocking lateral flow test in-store and is planning to role out the sale of the tests on its website from May.
