Ethnic minorities will be given priority under the new rapid Covid-19 community testing plan

ETHNIC MINORITIES in England will be given priority for rapid coronavirus testing under the new community testing plan by the government, once the lockdown ends on Wednesday(2).

Local officials can prioritise specific groups, areas or types of employee in order to crack down on asymptomatic spread and to help local areas to move out of the toughest Tier 3 restrictions, reported The Telegraph.

They can also offer people discounts to local shops and businesses to incentivise those who may feel healthy to get tested.

The new lateral flow tests give a result in under one hour and can be focused intensively on specific geographic areas with high prevalence, as well as types of industry.

Besides, 'freedom passes' will be given to people who have received two negative tests results. These passes will allow them to enter into pubs, restaurants, sporting and cultural events, even though their area remains in Tier 3.

While announcing the new measures, General Sir Gordon Messenger, the head of operations for the new programme, said that 'geographically' or 'ethnic community' specific Covid testing is the new plan.

Authorities hope to conduct testing of all non-symptomatic individuals over 11-years-old under the new initiative, the Telegraph report said. 

The 20 minute rapid coronavirus tests trialled in Manchester and Salford were also proved effective in identifying positive cases and breaking chains of transmission, officials said.

Though Tier 3 areas will be entitled to apply for the community testing support, many were likely to wait until January due to lack of manpower and resources, Sir Gordon said.

He added that the level of military support received to carry out the successful community testing pilot in Liverpool is not possible everywhere.

"By expanding our testing to include people showing no symptoms, we are finding more positive cases more quickly and breaking chains of transmission. Up to a third of people have coronavirus without symptoms, so it is incredibly important to be testing those who could be infecting others unknowingly," said health secretary Matt Hancock.

"When more people come forward for regular community testing, we have a much greater chance of driving down prevalence of the virus and saving lives."