Covid: Lateral flow tests run out on government website after surge in demand

People told to ‘try again later’ after attempting to order free home kits

Free coronavirus lateral flow tests appear to have run out on the government’s website following a surge in demand.

Anyone attempting to order a pack of Covid tests on Monday morning has been faced with an automated message telling them: “There are no home tests.”

The message adds: “Sorry there are no more home tests kits available right now. Try again later. Or you can go back and try book a test site appointment instead.”

Tests can still be picked up from pharmacies and test sites – however there have already been reports of some of these locations also running out of kits.

One source close to NHS Test and Trace said the UK had the manufacturing capacity and speculated the shortages of lateral flow devices could be the result of logistical issues.

The surge in demand comes as new rules for double-vaccinated contacts of Covid omicron variant cases mean people can take daily tests to avoid 10 days of self-isolation from Tuesday.

Mandatory vaccine “passports”, shown as the NHS Covid Pass through the NHS app, are also being brought back for larger events and nightclubs.

Unvaccinated people will need a negative lateral flow test as an alternative to gain entry.

The NHS website also ran into technical problems on Monday amid a rush of 100,000 people booking their booster jabs.

People struggled to book their third vaccine dose on Sunday night and Monday morning, with many reporting the website kept “looping back” before they could get a vaccine slot.

Many rushed to grab an appointment on Sunday night following prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that all adults in the UK would be offered a booster before the end of the month.

Long queues have also been seen outside vaccination sites, as health secretary Sajid Javid said the government will “throw everything at” the Covid booster programme to tackle the Omicron variant.

The NHS in England has advised people trying to book a Covid-19 booster jab to try later or tomorrow as people face a queue on the website.

In a tweet, the health service said: “The Covid vaccine booking service is currently facing extremely high demand so is operating a queuing system.

“For users aged 18-29, please be aware that booking opens on Wednesday 15 Dec.

“For all others experiencing waits, we would advise trying again later today or tomorrow.”