CORONAVIRUS home and drive-through tests for key workers have been snapped up within one hour today as thousands flock to the website.
By 8. am the government website told hopefuls the applications for DIY kits were closed while drive-through tests were booked out by 9. 23 am.
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( (6) A nurse prepares to take a sample at a COVID (testing center in the car park of the Bowhouse Community Center in Grangemouth (Credit: PA: Press Association)
However, more slots are expected to be released throughout the day.
Key workers and their families are still able to book a test by visiting a regional site in Scotland.
The website had last night been closed after “exceptional demand” with the bookings reopened at 8am today.
But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the site had not crashed.
He told the Downing Street: “It looks like the trajectory to , 17 tests by the end of April is going to be met in terms of capacity.
“I would say, after today, the demand is there, so if those two things come together we will have it being met.”
About , tests have already been booked through the website.
Criticism has been levelled over a series of test shambles in the UK – as drive-through sites for NHS tests were pictured looking empty and some results were found to be inaccurate.
Frustrated people trying to get hold of tests complained the process was complicated and they couldn’t find a category for their job role.
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