MILLIONS of key workers face an 8am scramble for coronavirus tests tomorrow morning when the government website opens up again.
Just 5,000 DIY home testing kits are available each day – with all of them snapped up within two minutes of the site going live this morning.
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Millions of workers desperate to get their hands on the tests and head back to the office were left disappointed after the site ran out and error messages popped up.
And drive-through testing slots were also fully booked at a rapid pace, with all of the 19,000 appointments taken just two hours later.
A second batch of tests are up for grabs at 8am tomorrow morning with another rush expected.
The PM’s spokesman said: “Within two minutes of the portal opening this morning, 5,000 testing kits had been ordered.
“And that’s the available capacity for today.”
They added up to 18,000 home testing kits per day will be available by the end of next week.
The government has struggled to meet the 100,000 daily tests hoped for by the end of April, despite huge demand.
Criticism has been levelled over a series of test shambles in the UK – as drive-through sites for NHS tests were pictured looking empty and some results were found to be inaccurate.
Frustrated people trying to get hold of tests complained the process was complicated and they couldn’t find a category for their job role.
One person tweeted: “So frustrating, been trying to book my daughter Covid-19 test, as she key worker, its already closed. Craziness not simple at all, so stressful.”
And another frustrated worker added: “I can’t book a test! I’m a key worker and I keep getting this message!!!!! @MattHancock why is this link not open? You said we could get tested from today!”
Mr Hancock announced last night testing would be expanded to millions of people so they can find out if they currently have Covid-19 – but only if they are showing symptoms.
Under radical new plans to get the country moving again, from today, seven million essential workers – including teachers, bankers or supermarket workers – were invited for testing.
For Brits without a car, home testing kits, including swabs and instructions, were made available to order online today.
Those who were first to get their hands on one will have them delivered by Amazon within the next 24 hours before being collected by the Royal Mail the next day – with results promises within 72 hours of collection.
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As the UK tries to get itself going from lockdown stagnation Mr Hancock today declared businesses which re-opened after shut at the start of the crisis were “never required to close”.
The Health Secretary welcomed the move by firms to get people back to work amid signs Brits are growing tired of the shutdown.
He made clear the lockdown is still in place and social distancing needs to continue to protect the NHS, but said certain companies can re-open their doors as long as they work safely.
Large firms such as B&Q, house builders Taylor Wimpey and car makers Jaguar and Nissan have all started up again as fears grow over the damage the economy is facing over the lockdown.
Professor John Newton said that the Government’s target to test 100,000 people a day by the end of the month was still on track, despite just 20,000 taking place yesterday.
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Mr Hancock earlier this week told the House of Commons that Britain has reached the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.
He said that ministers were trying to ramp up contact tracing so that all Brits could get access to them in future.
A NHS app is also being developed to try and monitor people who develop the virus, and tell them who they are likely to have come into contact with.
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