Antibody tests for key workers available on Amazon in ‘days’

Tests allowing medical staff and key workers to check whether they have had coronavirus will be made available to order via Amazon and at local chemists, health officials have announced.

Tests for key workers to check if they have had the coronavirus will be available on Amazon

Public Health England said 3.5 million testing kits had been purchased by the UK government and were being verified before release in the “near future”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman confirmed that the tests would be available via Amazon and at chemists like Boots.

They would allow key workers who have developed coronavirus antibodies - meaning they cannot contract the illness again - to stay on the front line.

Professor Sharon Peacock, director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England told MPs on the Commons Science and Technology Committee: “Once we are assured that they do work, they will be rolled out into the community.

“Testing the test is a small matter, and I anticipate that it will be done by the end of this week.

“In the near future people will be able to order a test that they can test themselves, or go to Boots, or somewhere similar to have their finger prick test done.”

Prof Peacock added that the testing kits would “absolutely” be available in “days, not weeks”.