ROUTINE coronavirus testing of frontline health and social care staff in Wales will begin from December 14, health minister Vaughan Gething has announced.

Asymptomatic lateral flow tests, which give results within 30 minutes, will be made available to clinical and non-clinical NHS staff as well as care workers.

On Friday, Mr Gething said the regular asymptomatic testing regime would not eradicate the risks of picking up and transmitting the virus.

He said: "It is vital everyone understands that testing alone cannot eradicate the risks associated with Covid-19 and testing needs to be carried out alongside other infection prevention control measures, such as the use of PPE, social distancing and hand hygiene."

He added: "We will begin rolling out the programme for these groups from December 14, starting with those working in services with high risks of transmission, and introducing in lower risk settings in January.

"We will also be introducing regular asymptomatic testing of staff working in hospice inpatient units and those delivering hospice at home services."