Free Covid-19 testing referrals and GP visits to end from Friday

In March 2020 remote consultations, referrals to community testing centres, and Covid-19 respiratory clinic consultations were all made free of charge — this will now cease.

GPs will no longer refer patients to Covid-19 testing centres from Friday, while private patients attending their GP for Covid-19-related visits will now be charged.

It comes as the country's public health strategy for managing the virus moves into the next stage, with a focus on reducing the impact of it on vulnerable people.