FREE lateral flow tests will also be scrapped, meaning people who want to check if they have the virus will soon have to pay to do so.
It comes as cases rise sharply again across the country, thanks to restrictions ending and the emergence of a highly infectious BA.2 offshoot of the Omicron variant.
More than 552,000 reported testing positive in the seven days up to Monday 21 March – a 38.1 per cent increase on the week prior.
Hospitalisations have also risen by almost 25 per cent, though deaths have remained relatively flat.
Here’s when the free provision of PCR tests will end, and how to get them after they disappear from the government website.
When will PCR tests stop being free?
The Government will stop providing universally free Covid-19 tests from 1 April.
Until that point, both lateral flows and PCRs (for those eligible to order them) will continue to be provided for free by the NHS.
Twice-weekly testing for staff and students in education and childcare has already ended.
Businesses will be liable to pay for their testing regime if they want to continue checking whether their employees have coronavirus.
Who still gets free tests after 1 April?
Care home residents, hospital patients and other vulnerable groups will still be given free tests if they have symptoms.
However, the general population will be unable to access both free lateral flow and PCR tests.
How much will tests cost?
People who want to order a PCR test after they stop being free face paying around £40 per test.
They may decide instead to use cheaper lateral flow tests.
Boots has said it will offer the devices for £2.50 each or £12 for a pack of five, or £17 for a pack of four with the extra option to send results to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
