Home swab kits run out AGAIN as Britons scramble to take a test in time for New Year's celebrations - and walk-in PCR tests are unavailable due to 'high demand'

 Lateral flow test kits were unavailable again as Britons scrambled to find out if they were Covid-free ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations - as the Government unsurprisingly blamed 'high demand'.

As of Monday afternoon, it was not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery from the Government website. 

A message stated: 'Sorry, there are no home delivery slots left for rapid lateral flow tests right now.

'You may still be able to pick up rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy or collection point, where these are available. Only pick up tests if you do not have symptoms.'

Appointments had been also unavailable in every region of the country, although there were some in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

However, later on in the afternoon, bookings were available in every region, with the UK Health Security Agency saying the reduced availability was merely 'temporary'.

A UKHSA spokesperson said: 'Appointments for PCR tests are available but high demand can lead to temporarily reduced availability in some areas. More appointments are made available for people to book every afternoon.

'Testing is playing an integral role in keeping people safe and managing the spread of Covid-19.

'We are very grateful to everyone who is following the Government's guidance and getting tested to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. 

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Lateral flow test kits are unavailable for home delivery again today as Britons scramble to ensure they know they are Covid-free ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations this weekend

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As well as limited lateral flow test availability, PCR walk-in test sites were also in high demand today meaning appointments were temporarily unavailable for about two hours this morning

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Britons can pick up lateral flow tests for free from a pharmacy listed on the NHS website

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'Everyone with symptoms or who is directed to get a PCR test should continue to come forward to get a test delivered to their home or at a test site.' 

People had been encouraged to pick up tests from their local pharmacies as the message reminds people that they cannot order tests from NHS 111 or 999 numbers.

The government website also suggested: 'If you have tests at home, including ones that children have brought home from school, you can use these instead.' 

It also said that the 119 service 'does not have access to more home delivery slots right now'.

It comes as Boris Johnson is due to review data that will illustrate the impact Christmas festivities have had on the number of Covid cases.

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The Prime Minister is expected to use the data to determine whether additional measures need to be brought in to combat the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Last week, a public health expert warned people to use tests 'responsibly' amid the shortage.

Azeem Majeed, head of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, said on Twitter: 'I am hearing about people carrying out multiple lateral flow tests in a single day.

'The tests are in short supply in many parts of England and this kind of practice will exacerbate supply problems, including for key workers such as NHS staff. Please use the tests responsibly.'

It comes after the Government suspended home delivery slots of lateral flow tests four times in one week during the run up to Christmas. 

Since then, the Government said it was launching a drive to send out 900,000 test kits each day.

From Saturday, December 18 and under an agreement with the Royal Mail, the Government hoped to double capacity to 900,000 daily deliveries of home-testing kits, including PCS and lateral flow devices.

The test shortages raised fears that close contacts of Covid sufferers would be forced to stay home. Under new rules, they can take daily tests instead of isolating.

As well as the boost to home-testing, it is understood more appointments were opened up for PCR tests at walk-in sites. 

However, high demand after Christmas meant there were no spare slots anywhere in England at one stage this morning, according to inews.

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Since then, more slots have opened up, with the PCR testing facility online is currently reporting widespread availability at walk-in test sites across the country.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told the newspaper that the issues had been caused by 'high demand' but that they had been resolved by the early afternoon.

A spokesperson said: 'Appointments for PCR tests are available, but high demand can lead to temporary reduced availability in some areas. More appointments are made available for people to book every afternoon.'

They said that testing was 'playing an integral role in keeping people safe' and urged people to continue to book or order PCR tests.

Boris Johnson will get his first glimpse of Christmas infections in a crunch meeting with his top advisers Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance that will examine whether new legal curbs are required ahead of the last social hurrah of 2021.

People in Scotland and Wales are waking to new rules announced before Christmas that include Hogmanay celebrations cancelled for the second year in a row in Edinburgh.

Downing Street, which described the meeting between the PM and his advisers as routine, is understood to be leaning towards new guidance urging people in England to be careful and limit contacts – rather than imposing new legally binding restrictions such as table service in pubs or limits on household mixing. 

But this could change if data on hospitalisations suggests the NHS could be overwhelmed by a wave of coronavirus infections. 

Full legal curbs would require Parliament to be recalled - which can be done within 48 hours - and would trigger already furious Tory backbenchers and cause serious problems for the hospitality industry.

The UKHSA has been contacted for comment in regards to the availability of lateral flow tests. 

How can you get a lateral flow test? 

How can I pick up a lateral flow test?

You can pick up tests for free from a pharmacy or other collection point, which is the quickest way to get one for most people.

Visit the NHS website by clicking here, where you can find your local site. You can then click on 'get a collect code', and you are given a code to give to that centre.

How can I order a lateral flow test?

You can order a lateral flow test kit online by clicking here, although the NHS asks people to only order online if they cannot pick up a test. 

When should I do a lateral flow test?

The NHS advises you should take a lateral flow tests on 'days when you're more likely to catch or spread Covid-19', such as before you mix with people in crowded indoor places, or visit someone who is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19.

Double jabbed adults are also now being asked to take a lateral flow test every day for seven days if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19. 

When can you get a PCR test?

You can order a free PCR test kit to be sent to your home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site, by clicking here. 

You should get one if you have any of the main three Covid-19 symptoms - either a high temperature, a new and continuous cough or you've lost your sense of smell or taste or they've changed.

The Government says that if you have no symptoms you can also get a PCR test kit if:

• you've been in contact with someone who's tested positive and you must self-isolate
• you've been asked to get a test by a local council or someone from NHS Test and Trace
• a GP or other health professional has asked you to get a test
• you're taking part in a government pilot project
• you've been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result
• you've received an unclear result and were told to get a second test
• you need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms
• you're in the National Tactical Response Group

When do you have to isolate? 

New guidance which came into force this month says that fully vaccinated people who are in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case should take a rapid lateral flow test every day for a week to help slow the spread of the virus. 

People who test positive or develop symptoms are still required to isolate, as are unvaccinated people who are 'not eligible for this new daily testing policy'.