BRITS in Covid hotspots who repeatedly test negative for the disease could get freedom passes to meet up with pals, Boris Johnson said yesterday.
The PM said his ‘moonshot’ mass testing programme will be rolled out to new Tier 3 areas to help crack down on the disease.
Officials are working round the clock to extend the programme as part of plans to get Britain back to normal by Easter.
Writing in the Covid Winter Plan, the PM said: “This system is untried. There are many unknowns.
“But if it works, we should be able to offer people who test negative the prospect of greater freedoms – to meet up in certain contexts with others who have tested negative.
“We will give support to those who have tested positive, to help them with isolation.
“But they will know that at the end of their isolation they too will have the prospect of greater freedoms.”
Downing Street insiders warned the plan is still some “way off”.
There were no details about the types of activities Brits will be able to do if they can prove they are Covid free.
The Telegraph reported at the weekend that Brits will be given an electronic document to prove their status and let them get back to more of a normal life.
Mr Johnson heaped praise on the 200,000 people in Liverpool who have taken part in the roll out of the mass testing program.
The 15 minute rapid-result tests would make it even easier for people to get swabbed and be able to go back to normal life.
Testing will also be used to set Brits free from self-isolation.
It means anyone who has been tested every day for a week will not need to self-isolate even if a close contact becomes sick with coronavirus.
They will only need stay at home if they themselves test positive.
