The Welsh Government has announced plans to test the public and trace the spread of the coronavirus.

Plans include home testing for people with coronavirus symptoms and a new app to track symptoms.

Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, said the new "Test, Trace, Protect" strategy will help quickly identify people with coronavirus symptoms; any new hotspots and to isolate as many contacts as possible.

He said: “We have to learn to live with the virus. This approach will help people understand whether they have been exposed to the virus so they can limit their exposure to others.

"This will help us to prevent infection and track the virus as restrictions are eased."

There will also be increased testing of critical workers to enable them to return to work.

The Welsh Government says the exact number of tests Wales will need every day will depend on the level of coronavirus circulating in the community and the emerging evidence about how testing should be deployed to prevent infection.

The plan includes:

  • Increasing testing of critical workers to enable them to return to work
  • A new system of home testing for the public if they have coronavirus symptoms
  • A new app to track symptoms in the general population and contact others who have symptoms or have tested positive

Testing capacity currently stands at more than 5,000 tests a day in Wales but it will be increased to up to 20,000 tests a day, by drawing on a UK-wide scheme, as the Test, Trace, Protect strategy is implemented.

In Powys, there are Armed Forces-manned mobile coronavirus testing units travelling across the county.

Mr Gething added: “The public will be our most important partners. It is only through their willingness to report their symptoms, identify their contacts and follow the advice to self-isolate if they have symptoms that we will be able to control the spread of coronavirus.”