Plea to get tested and follow Covid rules over the Bank Holiday

COVENTRY residents have been reminded to “stay safe and follow the rules” if they meet up with friends or family over the Bank Holiday weekend.

With the government’s ‘stay at home’ rule having lifted, the Easter Bank Holiday presents an opportunity for many to see their loved ones outside.

Outdoor gatherings - including in private gardens - of either six people under ‘the Rule of 6,’ or two households are now allowed.

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

Ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Liz Gaulton, director of public health and wellbeing, said: “With restrictions having eased this week, many residents will be meeting up with their friends and family in parks and gardens this weekend.

“So, I would like to remind everyone about the importance of staying safe and following the rules if they do meet up with anyone.

“Please remember that you must stay outdoors and keep to six people or two households when you meet up.

“You must also keep following those core social distancing guidelines of washing your hands and keeping two metres apart from members of other households when possible.”

Ms Gaulton has also urged people to get tested for Covid-19 if they do plan on meeting with others.

Coventry currently has seven asymptomatic testing sites for people who do not display coronavirus symptoms, and five for people who do.

Opening times for the asymptomatic sites will slightly change over the Easter weekend, however, with Monday switching from the usual weekday times of 8am to 6.30pm to weekend hours of 10am to 3pm.

The five sites for people with symptoms will remain open as usual.

Ms Gaulton said: “I would encourage anyone who plans to visit or see anyone from a different household this weekend to visit one of our community testing facilities to get a test.

“Testing is quick, simple and gives you the peace of mind that you aren’t passing on the virus. Find out how to get one by visiting the council’s website: www.coventry.gov.uk/coronavirus.”

The asymptomatic sites see lateral flow tests carried out at the following locations:

Alan Higgs Centre Allard Way Coventry CV3 1HW

Centre AT7 12 Bell Green Road Coventry CV6 7GP

Coventry Transport Museum Millennium Place Hales Street Coventry CV1 1JD

Hagard Community Centre Remembrance Road Coventry CV3 3DG

Indian Community Centre 243 Cross Road Foleshill Coventry CV6 5GP

Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre Winston Avenue Wood End Coventry CV2 1EA

Xcel Centre Mitchell Avenue Coventry CV4 8DY

Tests for people with symptoms are available at Whitefriars Car Park, The University of Warwick, The Ricoh Arena, Moat Street Car Park, and Broad Street Surgery in Foleshill.

Moat Street car park drive through opens 9am-3pm; the Ricoh Arena drive through opens 8am-1.30pm; while the walk-in sites at Broad Street, Westwood Games Hall at Warwick University, and Whitefriars all open 8am1.30pm.

Lateral flow test collections are also available at all test sites apart from Moat Street car park between 2.30pm-8pm.