COVID-19: Take a lateral flow test before you visit busy places this Christmas, says government

The government is advising people to take a COVID-19 test before they spend time in 'crowded and enclosed spaces' this winter. The Cabinet Office had previously advised people to take two lateral flow tests a week, especially if they have school-age children or are meeting clinically vulnerable people. Now the public is being told to take rapid lateral flow tests 'if it is expected that there will be a period of high risk that day'. It does not state what a high-risk scenario may be, but it could be an activity such as Christmas shopping in busy high streets or shopping centres. The Cabinet Office website says: 'You are at higher risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and where there is limited fresh air