Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid Coronavirus testing from later this week to track asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, the UK government announced on Monday. As a step forward to start lifting lockdown restrictions for all businesses, shops and restaurants, anyone will be able to access the free, rapid lateral flow tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week starting this Friday.

It is hoped the data will help scientists track and trace any new variants of Coronavirus more effectively because more people getting a test will increase the ability to identify and control mutations of the deadly virus. “Massive efforts have been made by the British public to stop the spread of the virus. As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine programme and with our roadmap to cautiously easing restrictions underway, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted,” said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.