Free lateral flow tests and PCR tests for covid are no longer available from tomorrow (April 1), as the Government ends access to free tests.

People wanting to take a covid test will have to order and buy them from pharmacies.

Devon County Council is no longer offering a free mobile lateral flow testing service although its outreach vans will continue to support the vaccination programme. The PCR testing sites in Devon, run by the Department for Health, are also due to close today (March 31).

However, Public Health Devon hopes people will continue to use up the tests they already have ‘to greatest effect’.

Steve Brown, Devon’s director of Public Health Devon, said: ‘If you have a supply of tests at home, please consider taking a test before visiting older or vulnerable friends or relatives, or before visits to GP surgeries or to hospital.’

Lateral flow tests are still available to buy from local pharmacies and online. And PCR tests will continue to be free for care home residents, hospital patients and other vulnerable groups, if they have symptoms of coronavirus.