The travel division of The Midcounties Co-operative is looking for a new COVID PCR test provider because the one it struck a deal with has run out of stock.

RT Diagnostics has taken itself off the Government-approved COVID test provider list and its says all tests are currently unavailable.

A message on its website says: “We are currently out of stock and working to bring stock back online.”

Midcounties announced on Friday afternoon it had partnered with Your Co-op Pharmacy to offer COVID test kits at a 20% price reduction, naming RT Diagnostics as its PCR test provider and another company, C19 Testing as its antigen test provider.

But on Friday evening, the company said it was looking for a replacement for RT Diagnostics, after learning the Halifax-based company had removed itself from the Government’s approved list.

RT Diagnostics had been due to offer pre-departure, Day 2, Day 2 and 8 packages and Day 5 test to release options to Midcounties customers, booking through Your Co-op Travel, Carrick Travel, Personal Travel Agents and Co-op Travel Consortium members.

C19 Testing is the return to England pre-departure antigen test, required for entry to England.

Midcounties said its pharmacy team is working to replace RT Diagnostics with another PCR testing company and will update its website shortly.

RT Diagnostics had been the subject of criticism in the last few weeks, with clients complaining they’d been unable to reach it by phone or email.

The company blamed ‘courier issues’ for long delays and said it was trying to deal with a backlog of tests.

Travel Gossip has approached Midcounties and RT Diagnostics for an update.