Due to enormous amounts of traffic, the Coronavirus testing website which only went live recently, has now been closed.
The reason for the websites closure is down to its “significant demand.”
The government has said that within the first 2 minutes of opening, 5,000 home testing kits were ordered, and more tests are going to be made available Saturday, apparently.
The Department of Health apologised for “any inconvenience” caused by the temporary closure of applications.
People have, and are being tested in this scheme right now. Some have described the experience and seemless and easy, and others have described it as difficult and confusing.
Mike Eyre, a teacher from the UK, was one of the first to register for a test, and was told he would receive a text soon. Yet, 11 hours later, and he still hadn’t received a text.
“It was very easy to log on and register,” he said. “It just said that you would then receive a text, which would take a few minutes but it might take a little bit longer if it’s busy.
“I’ve still not had a text yet, so I’m assuming they’re very busy.”
Liz Connerty, an education adviser from Berkshire, applied at around 7am and heard back at about midday. She plans to make a 30 mile round trip to the testing centre in North London.
From her experience, she said she “didn’t expect it to be completely smooth” but that “it does seem to be getting resolved”.
“I’m really pleased that in less than 48 hours I’ll have been tested and know if I’m positive or not,” she said.
“We’ve been able to work from home but they’ve asked if I can go in next week, so it would be useful to know.
“My children are both asthmatic – and getting a test would also mean I could then go and help my mum, who has almost no immune system and is getting no help in the house.”
