Free testing kits for those without symptoms
FREE coronavirus testing kits are being made available to everyone in Derbyshire without symptoms.
The rapid-test kits, which have to be collected from one of at Derbyshire
County Council’s handful of community testing centres, are being made available for families twice per week.
The Government scheme started on Friday and so far rapid testing has only been available to those most at risk, and for people who cannot work from home who are mixing with colleagues and members of the public.
But now members of the public can pick up two boxes of seven tests from community testing centres and mobile testing centres.
Ashbourne’s nearest community testing centre is at County Hall, in Matlock, but there are also centres in Buxton, New Mills, Clay Cross, Swadlincote, Heanor, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Ilkeston and Long Eaton.
Mobile testing centres call into Ripley, Bakewell, Chesterfield, Glossop and Killamarsh.
For opening times and other information, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/ communitytesting
Derbyshire’s director of public health Dean Wallace said: “Everyone has made a massive effort to get us to the point where we can start to go back to doing some of the things we love.
“But we don’t want to undo that good work so, together with the vaccine rollout, rapid testing is another weapon in our armoury against this deadly disease.
“To get back to a more normal life we all need to play our part and get tested regularly. This will help to give us peace of mind as well as stop the virus in its tracks.
“By doing all the right things – self isolating if we test positive, staying apart, washing our hands and wearing a face covering when required - we can all make a difference.
“So I’d urge residents to do their bit – get tested for Derbyshire.”
Rapid testing kits for use at home are also available to order online at www.gov. uk/order-coronavirus-rapidlateral-flow-tests