Carol came under fire after saying she wouldn’t take a Covid-19 test before going to see friends or family over Christmas.

Dr Rachel Ward told : ‘Taking a lateral flow test before seeing friends and family over Christmas is one of the best defences we have to keep each other safe and keep Christmas going!

‘I cannot think of any good reason to not do a test! Apart from not wanting to follow rules and isolate if you have Covid.

‘This kind of messaging is irresponsible in my mind and against all messaging from the government and NHS England.’

Dr Ward continued: ‘Health workers are absolutely flat out at the moment trying to vaccinate and care for those with Covid. I wish a 15 minute test was all I was being asked to do this Christmas!’

During Thursday’s episode of Loose Women, Kaye Adams asked Carol: ‘If I said to you, Carol, “Oh, come to my house, but I want you to take a test,” because of your views that you’ve expressed, you wouldn’t want to do that?’

Covid Lateral Flow Negative Test Result
Lateral flow tests are for people who do not have symptoms (Picture: Getty)

‘I wouldn’t not want to do it – I just wouldn’t do it,’ Carol replied.

She continued, stating: ‘Well, I respect that you don’t trust me to come to your house even though I’m not ill without having to prove that I’m not ill, you know, where does it end?

‘What other illnesses do you want to know that I’ve got or haven’t got? I find it quite breathtaking actually that Boris stands there and goes, “We’re not cancelling anything, but here’s a load of scary numbers,” and everyone goes and cancels everything anyway.’

Despite their contrasting views, Judi Love said that she would ‘respect’ her co-star’s decision not to take a test, and would instead suggest that they meet outside at some point in the future.

However, many viewers were shocked by the comments, with some pointing out that you can be asymptomatic.

Carol McGiffin on Loose Women
Some fans were shocked at Carol’s comments (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘Does Carol know you can have covid and no symptoms? Not taking a test if you’re going to someone’s house is pretty selfish,’ one person tweeted.

‘I object to being labelled as soft, Carol. I have 30+ years in the emergency services and respect the opinion of others to make their own decisions but your scathing name calling of those who choose an alternative option is outrageous and deserves an apology,’ another wrote.

Another angry viewer said: ‘I can’t believe Carol wouldn’t be willing to take a test before going to see someone. You can have Covid-19 with no symptoms and pass it on to someone who it does cause a serious issue. Saying she will be going out nightly only shows how little she cares about others.’

The government website explains the need for lateral flow tests.

It reads: ‘Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so a test that rapidly detects these otherwise hidden cases is a very useful additional tool for tackling the virus.

‘Lateral flow tests are practical, easy to interpret and can be used in a wide range of settings. This makes them ideal for widespread use in the community.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Loose Women and reps for Carol McGiffin for comment.