List of Tier 3 areas to receive community testing revealed

The first wave of Tier 3 areas in England to receive the government’s community testing have been announced.

From Monday, a total of 67 local authorities can begin enhanced testing support programmes to drive down COVID-19 transmission rates.

When combined with existing measures, the government hopes the testing initiative will lead to an easing of restrictions in Tier 3 areas.

Over 100 local authorities are engaging in the community testing programme, which will be rolled out to more areas in the new year.

More than 1.6 million lateral flow tests, which use similar technology to a pregnancy test and have a turnaround time of under an hour, will be immediately delivered for use with many more to follow.

Liverpool was the first part of the country to trial mass testing for all in November – including those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am really pleased to announce the first areas embarking on enhanced community testing programmes – after the successful work in Liverpool.

“With one in three people with coronavirus showing no symptoms, increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease.

“Community testing will be very important in helping the areas where levels of the virus are highest to drive down infection rates and ultimately will help areas ease tougher restrictions.”

He added that the testing rollout is “just the start” as the government is working fast to roll out community testing in more areas.

The government said it would support community testing programmes for a minimum of six weeks, with more Tier 3 local authorities due to join the programme over the coming weeks.

Local authorities have created community testing plans, taking into account detailed prevalence data and demographics of their local communities.

Leeds City Council’s director of public health Victoria Eaton said: “We will continue to expand testing in Leeds, as part of our overall approach to keeping infections as low as possible over the winter months.

“As well as all our community testing sites across the city for people with symptoms, we already have large-scale testing programmes for students, as well as in the NHS and care homes. We will continue to extend testing to more key workers over the next few weeks and into the New Year.”

Oldham will start increasing access to rapid testing, with the initial plan focusing on those communities most significantly affected by the virus.

Meanwhile, Lancashire plans to start testing with large manufacturing sites, and businesses with workforces greater than 200, as well as more vulnerable groups.

And Kirklees plans to undertake whole borough community testing starting in areas of persistently high infection rates and targeting high-risk workplaces.

Tier 3 areas that can begin community testing: