Covid test kits to be available in 10,000 PayPoint conveniences stores

With Omicron spreading at a rate of over 180,000 new cases per day, Covid testing is something that’s here to stay for the foreseeable future. The good news is that with Government changes in testing rules, employees may be able to return to work sooner in the near future if they have either been infected or if they have been travelling overseas… but they will need access to Covid test kits.

If the reason for testing is overseas travel, then access to NHS test kits is prohibited and they’ll need to purchase a test, but relaxations in rules mean that from next week these can in some cases be Lateral Flow Covid test kits rather than more expensive PCR tests.

PayPoint and Randox have today announced an expansion of their partnership, to boost access to Covid test kits and provide a vital service to travellers returning to the UK, in line with the Government’s new arrival requirements for Day 2 testing, announced on Wednesday 5th January.

The expanded partnership between PayPoint and Randox will mean even easier access to low-cost COVID-19 testing, by enabling people to order a Randox test online for click and collect at a local store within the Collect+ network, initially available in over 5,000 locations, and soon in over 10,000 locations nationwide.

The service launches today to coincide with changes to travel policy which, from 4am on 9th January, allows fully vaccinated arrivals from non-red list countries to take a lateral flow (antigen) test, with a PCR test only required if a positive lateral flow result is returned.

In addition, from mid-January, PayPoint will give consumers the ability to walk into a local store and pick up Covid test kits immediately in over 2,500 locations, with no need to order online. This service will be offered in partnership with major convenience retailers including Scotmid Co-operative and Spar in the North West and Scotland.

“By drawing on our 40 years’ diagnostics experience, unparalleled testing capacity, and well-established logistics network, which now includes an extensive number of new locations from PayPoint, Randox is able to respond quickly to changing travel requirements and simplify the process of ordering Day 2 lateral flow tests.

The availability of value for money tests that can be collected at the customer’s convenience thanks to our partnership with PayPoint means people in the UK don’t need to wait for home delivery or a walk-in clinic appointment when ordering a COVID-19 test.”
– Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director, Randox

“Our expanded partnership with Randox will deliver yet another vital service to help keep people safe in communities across the UK. Consumer convenience and accessibility are at the very heart of what we do and this is another example of our agility, responsiveness and the great relationships we have with our retailer partners in the ever-changing landscape across the UK.”
– Nick Wiles, Chief Executive, PayPoint