Can you still get free lateral flow tests on the NHS?

It's not long now until free lateral flow tests (LFTs) will no longer be available on the NHS. The government announced that free LFTs will end on Friday April 1, unless you are over 75, or over 12 with a weakened immune system.

Scotland, however, will offer limited free tests until the end of April, while Wales will keep some testing capacity until July. The changes come after the announcement in February, when the government said that it was no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid in England, but staying at home and avoiding contact with others for five days is still recommended.

Masks are also no longer required in most public spaces, except for healthcare settings. But as cases have continued to increase in the UK, people have been struggling to order free LFTs online due to a lack of availability.

Read more: Lateral flow advice changes online as people told 'most tests needed for higher risk'

Twitter user Seedpodder said: "Why does the govt order lateral flow test site ask for all your details before saying they don’t have any?" Sarah Clay added: "Where have all the lateral flow test kits gone in England? Can't order one online!"

On Monday night, a new message appeared on the government website where free LFTs are ordered from. It warns the user that "most people without Covid-19 symptoms no longer need to take rapid lateral flow tests."

While the message doesn't outright prevent the user from ordering their test kit, it does seem to discourage them from doing so. More of the message reads: "Some people still need tests to stay safe, like:

It continues: "We want to make sure tests are available for people who need them most."

Noticing the update, Laurence Sullivan tweeted: