Covid live: UK reports 205 new coronavirus-related deaths and 41,130 cases; Ireland to drop most curbs



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UK reports 205 daily Covid-19 deaths and 41,130 new cases



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Also in the UK, prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that free Covid-19 testing for the general public will end from 1 April in England has sparked a “hoarding” of lateral flow test kits, say pharmacists.

The government was accused of “a complete lack of planning” and failing to carry out any consultations with high street pharmacies, who had already been limiting the number of LFT kits to two per visit amid a heightened demand.

Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told the Guardian that her members were worried that some vulnerable people were going to be “left behind” as pharmacies were likely to be again “inundated” with people asking for the kits.

Hannbeck, who is a pharmacist herself, said pharmacies were already seeing people attempting to circumvent attempts to limit each customer to two LFT kits, which has been common practice for some months.

“There’s nothing to stop different members of the same family coming in at different times in order to get more. We’ve had reports of that. At the same time, local pharmacists have a relationship with their customers and we really want to make sure that people are not left out and get what they need,” she said.

Some Britons have begun to stockpile lateral flow test kits, people will face paying £3 to £5 per lateral flow test from April 1st after PM Boris Johnson scrapped restrictions.


Some Britons have begun to stockpile lateral flow test kits. People will face paying £3 to £5 per lateral flow test from 1 April, after PM Boris Johnson scrapped restrictions. Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock

Pharmacists were also in the dark about pricing for kits in future and were learning of the government’s intentions only by following news reports, added Hannbeck, who suggested that subsidies could be imperative.

“On Monday there was a suggestion of guidelines about pricing but we have heard nothing, and then we were hearing mentions of five pounds on the radio in the morning.”

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Sturgeon: ‘I must express frustration at the position of the UK government’

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Scotland to end Covid certification scheme and face mask laws



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Sturgeon sets out plans for Scotland

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