The prime minister’s spokesman has confirmed that people visiting relatives in care homes will no longer receive free tests from 1 April.

However, some free testing will continue for people with symptoms who are over 80, or who work in the health or social care sector.

“There will be free symptomatic tests available for social care and healthcare staff,” the spokesman said. “The position on asymptomatic testing will be set out by the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England in due course”.

But asked if there would be free tests for visitors to care homes, he replied: “No, this is targeted at the most vulnerable and frontline staff.”

From April Fool’s Day, people are expected to pay around £2 to £5 for each lateral flow test once a “regulated” private market takes over.

Downing Street did not deny it had discussed, at one point, the prospect of over-50s getting continued access to free tests but, after a row about funding in the government, plans to offer free tests to a wider range of people were scaled back.

“There were conversations about what is the right balance and the right approach, and ultimately this is something all of the cabinet have signed up to,” continued the spokesman. 

This announcement comes after Johnson announced mandatory self-isolation in England for people with Covid will end this Thursday, although he has advised people to “exercise personal responsibility”, breaking the “habit of going into work when we’re not well”.

This recommendation came despite the £500 isolation payments ending this Thursday, with the ability to get Statutory Sick Pay and ESA from day one being axed on March 24.

Free testing will end on the same day that energy bills rise £693, with people paying an estimated £20 to £30 for a box of seven lateral flows.