WALK-THROUGH COVID TESTING CENTRES OPEN UP
TWO ‘walk-through’ coronavirus test centres have opened in Halton. The self-test facilities are located at the junction of Kingsway and Milton Road in Widnes and in The Brindley car park off High Street in Runcorn. Booking is required by calling 119.
The free swab tests are supposed to take less than a minute, with results provided next day.
A Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokeswoman said the test centres are part of a drive to boost accessibility to testing.
Visitors being tested are required to follow public health measures including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including travel to and from the centre.
Testing began on Wednesday, September 9, and is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
The centres are expected to be on site for several months, operated in partnership with G4S.
The sites are part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, including 73 drive-through sites, 74 walk-through sites, 236 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five laboratories.
Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts.
This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.
Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus.
They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.
Lord Bethell, health minister, said: “Testing is proving an effective way to contain the virus so we are scaling testing capacity and walk-through centres to make it even easier for everyone to get a free coronavirus test.
“Our NHS Test and Trace service will contact you if you test positive or if you have been in close contact with someone who has the virus. I urge anyone with symptoms to book a test today, and anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow their advice to protect those around them from the virus.”
Baroness Dido Harding, interim executive chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said: “Getting a test is now faster and easier than ever.
“Local sites will mean anyone who has symptoms can get a free test quickly to find out whether they have the virus and need to stay at home, or can safely return to work and get back to the things they love.
“Over 95% of people will get their results the next day, and anyone who tests positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help to prevent the spread of the virus.”