End of routine asymptomatic COVID-19 testing
31 August 2022
The Government has set out plans for COVID-19 testing in periods of low prevalence, following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In line with this advice, routine asymptomatic testing in a number of settings has been paused from 31st August.
However, NHS England has published a letter detailing a number of scenarios in which testing in the NHS should continue after this date.
It is no longer recommended that all public-facing health and social care staff should do a lateral flow test twice a week. However, local dental commissioners, with appropriate advice, may exercise local discretion to continue testing for specific individuals or cohorts in line with broader infection prevention and control measures.
Symptomatic testing will continue for both patients and staff, based on the current list of COVID-19 symptoms.
