DIY rapid COVID testing kits have been distributed in Europe

DIY rapid COVID testing kits have been distributed to a number of countries in Europe.

Rapid coronavirus testing kits, which have been designed by testFWRD with the re-opening of hospitality venues and the return of mass events in mind, have been distributed across Europe to Germany, Spain and Portugal, and also to the UK.

The tests, which are already available in Austria and approved by the World Health Organization, can be taken at home and require users to gargle saline solution and make a video recording. This is then uploaded to an app, and users return their test kits in the post. Results are delivered directly via the testFWRD app and aim to give a “non-infectious time window of 72 hours”.

In November last year, Swallow Events announced they would offer a full rapid testing screening service facility to detect COVID-19 to event organisers throughout the UK and the rest of the world. The service offers Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-approved 15-minute turn-around pop-up testing facilities which can be conducted by government-approved healthcare professionals on any size and scale.

Earlier this week, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave hope to the night time economy and live events sectors — which have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic — announcing that nightclubs and music venues across the country could be reopened as soon as the 21st June. As part of the government’s “road map” to reopening the sectors, it was revealed that an “events research programme” is set to launch in April, with trial events at nightclubs, stadiums and theatres expected to take place with volunteers.

You can view an instructional video about the testFWRD kit below.