HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that everyone in England will be entitled to twice-weekly Covid testing.

From Friday (April 9), you will be able to get a rapid test whether you have symptoms or not.

The lateral flow tests can provide results in around 30 minutes.

So far, rapid testing has only been available to those most at risk and people who need to leave home for work, such as frontline NHS workers, care home staff and residents, plus schoolchildren and their families.

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Mr Hancock tweeted: "Everyone will be able to take a free rapid coronavirus test twice a week from the 9th April. Reclaiming our lost freedoms & getting back to normal hinges on us all getting tested regularly."

The announcement comes ahead of a press briefing from the Prime Minister, scheduled for 5pm this evening.

Boris Johnson will be joined by England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

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