People who test positive for COVID-19 via a lateral flow test, but have no symptoms, will no longer need to take a confirmatory PCR test from today.

The move was announced last week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and has been introduced to free up capacity in labs for PCR tests for those who have coronavirus symptoms.

How are the PCR test rules changing around the UK – and do I still need one?

People who test positive after taking an at-home lateral flow test will be required to self-isolate immediately.

The UKHSA said this is a temporary measure while COVID-19 cases remain high across the UK.

The agencies chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “This is a tried and tested approach. With COVID cases high, we can confidently say lateral flow tests can be used to indicate COVID-19 without the need for PCR confirmation.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

COVID-19: UK records 142,224 new cases and 77 more coronavirus-related deaths, daily figures show

Italy: Unvaccinated people banned from public transport, coffee shops and gyms

COVID-19: Private hospitals to help NHS cope with Omicron strain in new deal

“It also remains really important that anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms self-isolates and takes a PCR test.”

PCR test changes hint at how the government intends to ‘live with COVID’

People who want to claim the Test and Trace Support payment, those who take lateral flow tests as part of research and those who have a day two positive test result after they arrive will still be required to take PCR tests.

Related posts:

UK’s coronavirus reproduction number remains below 1 Girl, 14, who thinks about suicide ’24/7′ demands more mental health help for children Police investigate soldier’s death during live firing training exercise in Wales Murder probe launched after death of ‘gentle’ teenager at South Wales takeaway ‘A side of shares’: Deliveroo to offer £50m of stock to customers UK records another drop in COVID infections as number of first jabs hits 22.2 million Boy, 17, killed after ‘metal pole touched electrical line’ in Lancashire What ‘Plan C’ COVID restrictions could we see if Plan B fails? ‘A beautiful day’: Extinction Rebellion trio cleared and Insulate Britain protesters released from jail Omicron ‘exit wave’ possible in the summer, scientists say COVID cases ‘plateauing’ in London, East and South East, with hospital admissions ‘slowing’ Tory chairman ‘hopeful’ COVID restrictions can be lifted by end of January