- 19/05/2020
- Posted by: Lesley Griffiths MS
- Category: News
Everyone in Wales is now eligible to be tested for coronavirus if they are showing symptoms.
Wales is joining a new UK-wide system for ordering home testing kits and Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the news.
Anyone aged 5 and over experiencing the Covid-19 symptoms – a high temperature and continuous cough – will be able to apply for a home testing kit using the new UK online portal.
After closely monitoring the emerging data and evidence on Covid-19, this week the UK’s Chief Medical Officers recommended a new measure and confirmed the loss or change in smell or taste (anosmia) has also been added to the list of symptoms of coronavirus.
This means people will need to self-isolate if they experience any of these symptoms and all will be able to request a test using the new system.
The current guideline remain the same – all members of the household must also self-isolate for 14 days, unless the person with symptoms has a negative test result.
The online portal will be supported by a national 119 phone service, though which people can also order a home test.
Lesley Griffiths MS said: “This is a major milestone. Protecting the people of Wales has always been the Welsh Government’s overriding goal and this increase in testing will ultimately help further reduce the spread of the virus and gradually result in the restrictions on our everyday lives being eased.”
“It’s important to stress critical workers will be prioritised and only people showing symptoms – a high temperature, continuous cough and/or a loss of smell or taste – should request a test.”
More information on how to apply for a coronavirus test can be found here: https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test
