Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help prevent people from contracting long covid when asymptomatic testing for covid-19 is no longer available.

As is common with most other respiratory illnesses, we continue to advise those who are unwell to limit contact with others. We will issue guidance on behaviours that will reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 for the public and businesses, in line with public health advice, which will help to prevent longer term symptoms of the virus.

The booster and vaccination campaign will provide additional protection against severe disease, especially amongst older and more vulnerable populations. We are also deploying antiviral and monoclonal antibody free testing for National Health Service staff, symptomatic social care staff and at-risk groups.