LONDON (UK) – A website, especially for Britain’s essential workers applying to get a COVID-19 test, was closed for new applicants not long after the government widened the eligibility criteria for its testing programme.
British Health minister Matt Hancock said the launch of the new online booking system to include more essential workers, like teachers and delivery drivers, was all part of efforts to boost the country’s testing programme to reach his target of 100,000 tests a day by month-end.
Health workers and scientists have criticised the government for failing to move soon enough to increase testing, with essential workers staying home with COVID-19-like symptoms.
“There has been significant demand for booking tests today. We apologise for any inconvenience. We are continuing to rapidly increase availability. More tests will be available tomorrow.”
– British Health Ministry
Approximately 23,560 coronavirus tests had been carried out on the 22nd of April and Hancock stated that the testing capacity was now at 51,000.
Matt Hancock said that fewer people had come forth for testing due to the complexity of the previous booking process.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.