The Government must reinstate testing for Coronavirus COVID-19. · petition

What the petition asks

In order to collect more reliable data on the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19, the government needs to reinstate general testing of the public with mild symptoms, and to continue contact-tracing. This action needs to be taken fast.

The Government and health services need good data to inform the science they are using to combat the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19. Reinstating testing will give a better idea of the progress of the infection among the population. Without this we will face increasing uncertainty about the success of the measures decided upon. People who are falling ill need to know if they have contracted the virus as this will affect their behaviour, and will help to protect others.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise. The conduct of tests is a clinical decision for the NHS, not the UK Government or Parliament.

We have published a petition calling for the Government to provide publicly accessible testing for coronavirus around the UK, which you might want to sign: Provide publicly accessible testing for the covid-19 virus around the UK now.

Since you started your petition the Government has announced that testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will increase to 25,000 a day: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/testing-for-coronavirus-covid-19-will-increase-to-25-000-a-day

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Timeline

15 Mar 2020	Petition opened for signatures
20 Mar 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee