![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5F5QAGOWO7NNYO7A7EIJ4R454E.jpg?smart=true&auth=c17b13b8f422b32e6a2eea7423203594d905681fde45667177a33a8d510e9b55&width=400&height=225)
Fans outside the Etihad Stadium in Manchester sanitise their hands before attending a match. Reuters
Pharmacies in the UAE have started selling Covid-19 self-testing kits like this one in a Boots store in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The lateral flow tests enable people to see if they have Covid-19 symptoms, but are not for official use. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pharmacist Riya Varghese shows one of the testing kits at Boots in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A Covid-19 self-testing kit at a Boots store in Dubai. The results are not recognised by UAE health authorities, so can not be used for travel or green pass status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PGMMKXYLYWW4XNUJCPXOFDCRN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=28754e8db3d95d5840c47b8cdff2fb269275b6e0957ac23ccc1c39c5d7e93bbe&width=400&height=225)
Lateral flow tests bought in Cornwall, UK on December 16, 2021, where there has been a shortage of PCR appointments and home-testing kits in recent days. Hugh Hastings / Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QD5KTQ37MKAJWKR5S55S5GASEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=691cb19a99f3d9fdbc6e42a8bdd148e7e258ca7d5ddabe0ce2f9ae26062308ab&width=400&height=225)
The British government's website displays a message that there are no Covid-19 lateral flow home test kits available to order on December 13, 2021. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XLMNWX54SKOPTUCWBRVOJP4QE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=305020762233f64df6e95dd39e40276ca1ce1a967ec97b02d15a07e3e892cde5&width=400&height=225)
People queue for Covid-19 booster jabs at Sevenoaks in Kent. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OFOKQJGE56UYP76ELIJ45E2MTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=95fabd522d308de8b73b96ad0aec318b1938f916fa14af7abbf22c262058852b&width=400&height=225)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Stow Health vaccination centre, in Westminster, London. At least one person in the UK has died with the Omicron variant. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V7L7WB4Q6KVA7PUSJG6QBE7MFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7458829ed011e0de54f15d4a336569e8bb8a7961b4a1c792750350d1d21b77e1&width=400&height=225)
A man wears a face mask while walking in an empty street in the financial district, known as The City, in London. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S5RYVK5TGNCP5OP4H67H3LHXNY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=bcfd3682314693f7d668e58e10c3a59f00139806aad1c232bdc33b0a13579065&width=400&height=225)
People queue outside a walk-in vaccination centre at St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JAQV57ZUHDMY3MM6ENEJ7E67XA.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e66ddded2dd9a7322cf3f18c59eb579fc5dc93fc9a2c7a651fe485d1f46c05&width=400&height=225)
Paddington Station in London is quiet on Monday morning, as government's latest work-from-home guidance to stem the spread of the coronavirus came into effect. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UYNNYP4TQOOHQFXNBII3VJCDHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8ff9624a683eef0d646396983c454675f11cfdfd61ef7ef668a4381de56840f&width=400&height=225)
Motorists drive along a quiet M40 motorway on Monday morning near Warwick. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T4NLVIIWEGBPUEWUDAW4Z6VNLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce0ec300c3ff6713fab7990affbac846efaf15682af1754912a1a9207e970bc5&width=400&height=225)
Boris Johnson urged people to have a booster vaccine as he gave a warning of a 'tidal wave' of infections caused by the Omicron variant when he addressed the nation on Sunday evening. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6MPRFRTNTWADAKNCY2TXJP7B3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=00a583782ac98ee27cb08eccc24394d00d286ed01ccbfb061437b2440f3f6ac5&width=400&height=225)
Some shoppers wear face coverings as they walk along Oxford Street in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOEIGXF6ZXTTPOXJMUC3B3SK74.jpg?smart=true&auth=e48d23f7d9692dd655621b0cbc227255b96353a8f9c3ec8b29d3963862f79159&width=400&height=225)
An actor wearing a face mask has their head piece adjusted before before a dress rehearsal for the Wintershall Estate's nativity play held in a barn on the estate in Guildford, Surrey. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37EOICUUY7SL7KC4KIRJ35AH4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=de57bf67e218552a701ffd2bf40ab0743c7f887fa0d85b487da026baac6eba34&width=400&height=225)
A visitor to St Thomas' Hospital in London wearing personal protective equipment. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JQ5BFFTBTUVJQZBFRL4AR6OEUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4d219f306b22e43457d92062f1805e706b3c453294c0c21716cf465973e0c2e&width=400&height=225)
Fans outside Selhurst Park before the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton pass a sign reminding them to socially distance, in south London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HKKPEUDKZ7YT5HOD6ILW7TYTEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b5d6562d38cdaa7f4e38d19a0eda6c755098ed31e75a1936684fd062146540b&width=400&height=225)
People wear face masks as they exit Westminster underground station in London. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVV5DRBBK4SOPAPU4WX6JAQ2ME.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ff571fe907e9038b8fb7f87b722c3c584e9764878f39d5ebbb461d173c8cda5&width=400&height=225)
A security guard stands by a sign asking customers to wear face masks at a store in London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GKDLA4FYH3FQKH7TYSHPT43P3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ce854da81775c72dec4be68a40c5cc0b423cc402757bbe398f7d2dbc727094a&width=400&height=225)
Christmas shoppers wearing face masks on Oxford street in London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIIAHRJKCFVF7YAKMNCHLALLPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb2f376057860870337680d5e93034ee1654d7fe748fc6f412b6f9f6f8f5cd17&width=400&height=225)
Skaters, most wearing face coverings, skate on the ice rink at the Natural History Museum in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD25XE4KSKLO5MAPO7GFYLDPIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b05eda4b70690c4453c3bb75418ae517065e68a3dc01ae7bc698898953c843a&width=400&height=225)
A shopper in a Santa hat and wearing a face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus walks through Covent Garden in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5F5QAGOWO7NNYO7A7EIJ4R454E.jpg?smart=true&auth=c17b13b8f422b32e6a2eea7423203594d905681fde45667177a33a8d510e9b55&width=400&height=225)
Fans outside the Etihad Stadium in Manchester sanitise their hands before attending a match. Reuters
Pharmacies in the UAE have started selling Covid-19 self-testing kits like this one in a Boots store in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The lateral flow tests enable people to see if they have Covid-19 symptoms, but are not for official use. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pharmacist Riya Varghese shows one of the testing kits at Boots in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A Covid-19 self-testing kit at a Boots store in Dubai. The results are not recognised by UAE health authorities, so can not be used for travel or green pass status. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PGMMKXYLYWW4XNUJCPXOFDCRN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=28754e8db3d95d5840c47b8cdff2fb269275b6e0957ac23ccc1c39c5d7e93bbe&width=400&height=225)
Lateral flow tests bought in Cornwall, UK on December 16, 2021, where there has been a shortage of PCR appointments and home-testing kits in recent days. Hugh Hastings / Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QD5KTQ37MKAJWKR5S55S5GASEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=691cb19a99f3d9fdbc6e42a8bdd148e7e258ca7d5ddabe0ce2f9ae26062308ab&width=400&height=225)
The British government's website displays a message that there are no Covid-19 lateral flow home test kits available to order on December 13, 2021. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XLMNWX54SKOPTUCWBRVOJP4QE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=305020762233f64df6e95dd39e40276ca1ce1a967ec97b02d15a07e3e892cde5&width=400&height=225)
People queue for Covid-19 booster jabs at Sevenoaks in Kent. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OFOKQJGE56UYP76ELIJ45E2MTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=95fabd522d308de8b73b96ad0aec318b1938f916fa14af7abbf22c262058852b&width=400&height=225)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Stow Health vaccination centre, in Westminster, London. At least one person in the UK has died with the Omicron variant. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/V7L7WB4Q6KVA7PUSJG6QBE7MFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=7458829ed011e0de54f15d4a336569e8bb8a7961b4a1c792750350d1d21b77e1&width=400&height=225)
A man wears a face mask while walking in an empty street in the financial district, known as The City, in London. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S5RYVK5TGNCP5OP4H67H3LHXNY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=bcfd3682314693f7d668e58e10c3a59f00139806aad1c232bdc33b0a13579065&width=400&height=225)
People queue outside a walk-in vaccination centre at St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JAQV57ZUHDMY3MM6ENEJ7E67XA.jpg?smart=true&auth=54e66ddded2dd9a7322cf3f18c59eb579fc5dc93fc9a2c7a651fe485d1f46c05&width=400&height=225)
Paddington Station in London is quiet on Monday morning, as government's latest work-from-home guidance to stem the spread of the coronavirus came into effect. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UYNNYP4TQOOHQFXNBII3VJCDHE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8ff9624a683eef0d646396983c454675f11cfdfd61ef7ef668a4381de56840f&width=400&height=225)
Motorists drive along a quiet M40 motorway on Monday morning near Warwick. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T4NLVIIWEGBPUEWUDAW4Z6VNLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ce0ec300c3ff6713fab7990affbac846efaf15682af1754912a1a9207e970bc5&width=400&height=225)
Boris Johnson urged people to have a booster vaccine as he gave a warning of a 'tidal wave' of infections caused by the Omicron variant when he addressed the nation on Sunday evening. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6MPRFRTNTWADAKNCY2TXJP7B3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=00a583782ac98ee27cb08eccc24394d00d286ed01ccbfb061437b2440f3f6ac5&width=400&height=225)
Some shoppers wear face coverings as they walk along Oxford Street in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OOEIGXF6ZXTTPOXJMUC3B3SK74.jpg?smart=true&auth=e48d23f7d9692dd655621b0cbc227255b96353a8f9c3ec8b29d3963862f79159&width=400&height=225)
An actor wearing a face mask has their head piece adjusted before before a dress rehearsal for the Wintershall Estate's nativity play held in a barn on the estate in Guildford, Surrey. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/37EOICUUY7SL7KC4KIRJ35AH4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=de57bf67e218552a701ffd2bf40ab0743c7f887fa0d85b487da026baac6eba34&width=400&height=225)
A visitor to St Thomas' Hospital in London wearing personal protective equipment. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JQ5BFFTBTUVJQZBFRL4AR6OEUY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4d219f306b22e43457d92062f1805e706b3c453294c0c21716cf465973e0c2e&width=400&height=225)
Fans outside Selhurst Park before the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton pass a sign reminding them to socially distance, in south London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HKKPEUDKZ7YT5HOD6ILW7TYTEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b5d6562d38cdaa7f4e38d19a0eda6c755098ed31e75a1936684fd062146540b&width=400&height=225)
People wear face masks as they exit Westminster underground station in London. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVV5DRBBK4SOPAPU4WX6JAQ2ME.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ff571fe907e9038b8fb7f87b722c3c584e9764878f39d5ebbb461d173c8cda5&width=400&height=225)
A security guard stands by a sign asking customers to wear face masks at a store in London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GKDLA4FYH3FQKH7TYSHPT43P3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ce854da81775c72dec4be68a40c5cc0b423cc402757bbe398f7d2dbc727094a&width=400&height=225)
Christmas shoppers wearing face masks on Oxford street in London. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIIAHRJKCFVF7YAKMNCHLALLPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=cb2f376057860870337680d5e93034ee1654d7fe748fc6f412b6f9f6f8f5cd17&width=400&height=225)
Skaters, most wearing face coverings, skate on the ice rink at the Natural History Museum in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AD25XE4KSKLO5MAPO7GFYLDPIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b05eda4b70690c4453c3bb75418ae517065e68a3dc01ae7bc698898953c843a&width=400&height=225)
A shopper in a Santa hat and wearing a face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus walks through Covent Garden in central London. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5F5QAGOWO7NNYO7A7EIJ4R454E.jpg?smart=true&auth=c17b13b8f422b32e6a2eea7423203594d905681fde45667177a33a8d510e9b55&width=400&height=225)
Fans outside the Etihad Stadium in Manchester sanitise their hands before attending a match. Reuters
Pharmacies now selling rapid Covid-19 home test kits
Results cannot be used for travel or green pass system but could be popular among passenger flying to countries with test shortages
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
19 December, 2021
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