UK's coronavirus testing website overwhelmed by demand, government apologizes 

The UK government's new website designed to allow essential workers to directly book a coronavirus test was closed to applications hours after its launch at 6:00 local time on Friday following high demand.

"There has been significant demand for booking tests today. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are continuing to rapidly increase availability. More tests will be available tomorrow," the Department of Health and Social Care said in a tweet after the closedown.

Boris Johnson government has been criticized for been "too slow" on testing for the coronavirus. 

Earlier this week, UK's Health Minister Helen Whately had admitted to Sky News that some of the "early tests" used by the NHS were "not effective enough" and a re-testing has been asked.