As we head towards December, aka the month of Christmas shopping and festive parties, people have been advised to do a lateral flow test before attending any events in crowded or enclosed spaces. Even if you're visiting loved ones indoors, the advice applies to anyone who is planning to be in 'crowded indoor spaces'.
The new warning attempts to combat fears of another wave as we move into the festive season, when businesses are likely to be organising work parties for its employees and shopping centres and high streets fill up with present-buying shoppers. One in three individuals do not report any symptoms of Covid when carrying the illness, which can unknowingly put others at risk.
The new warning marks a change to previous advice, which asked people to take two lateral flow tests per week, or before meeting with high-risk individuals as a precaution against Covid. Now, however, people are being asked to take a test in advance of any high-risk situation, which includes all crowded spaces, although the government has not explicitly referenced shopping or partying. Lateral tests can be ordered at home for free, or are available at your nearest Pharmacy.
The Government said: “You may wish to take a rapid lateral flow test if it is expected that there will be a period of high risk that day. This includes spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces, or before visiting people who are at higher risk of severe illness if they get Covid-19.”
The new advice also comes at a time when other European countries are experiencing extremely high levels of cases, with daily cases in Germany at around 50,000. However, Boris Johnson has said he doesn’t see the need to introduce new restrictions in England despite rising cases across Europe.
Although not a legal requirement, it is still recommended for people to wear face masks in crowded and enclosed spaces.
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