Daily coronavirus tests will be offered to close contacts of people who have tested positive in England, as a way to reduce the current 14-day quarantine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people will be offered tests every day for a week - and they will not need to isolate unless they test positive.

He also said rapid tests will allow every care home resident to have up to two visitors tested twice a week.

Labour welcomed increased testing but raised concerns over test-and-trace.

The chairman of the Independent Care Group which represents independent care homes, Mike Padgham, said the government was being "rather ambitious".

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Announcing the government's Covid-19 winter plan, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said repeat testing will be expanded for people in England whose close contact has tested positive for Covid-19, in a bid to cut the 14-day quarantine.

Currently those deemed to have been in contact with a Covid-positive person are required to isolate for 14 days.

But, under the new plan, people will be offered the opportunity to be tested every day for a week and, as long they test negative, will be able to go about their normal life.

The prime minister said it will begin in Liverpool this week.

"If successful this approach will be extended across the health system next month and to the whole of England from January," he added.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55040992