NORTH Essex residents are likely take up the free twice weekly Covid tests, our poll has revealed.

Everyone in England is set to be offered the tests as the Government prepares for the next stages of easing lockdown restrictions.

The lateral flow tests – which can provide results in roughly 30 minutes – will be available from Friday, regardless of whether people have symptoms.

Residents will be able to obtain a test through a home ordering service, workplace or school testing programme, or by collecting one at a local test site.

A poll on the Gazette’s website revealed 54 per cent of readers would willingly take up the twice-weekly tests, whereas 41 per cent would not.

The other 5 per cent of poll takers were unsure.

Abbie Shannon, from Colchester, said: “I’m happy that this is an option for people, but it would be great if you didn’t have to sit there for ten minutes uploading results with the same questions.”

Federica Spurgeon, from Dovercourt, said: “As a family we have been testing ourselves twice-weekly for three weeks now. It takes a few minutes, it’s free and delivered to us. If only everyone did the same.”

James Clarke said he has also been doing twice-weekly tests for the past month. He added: “The only annoying thing is to remember to order more but it’s not really a hardship and it gives me some peace of mind that I don’t have it.”

But, reader John Drummond is concerned the rollout of free tests could “bankrupt”

the nation. He added: “If this psychosis is allowed to continue then eventually the nation will be bankrupted, all our pensions gone, savings gone, and most jobs gone.”

The Prime Minister said the scheme would help stop fresh outbreaks, enabling the authorities to control new variants of the disease.

“With our road map cautiously easing restrictions under way, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted,” he said.