Walk-in test centre opens for those with symptoms

A NEW walk-through testing centre has opened for those with coronavirus symptoms in Chester-le-Street.

The site at the Riverside car park, near Emirates Durham cricket stadium, has opened as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing at the new site started on Wednesday with appointments made available each day.

As well as mobile testing sites which visit different parts of County Durham each day, there are two other permanent walk-in local testing sites - Territorial Lane and the northern car park at County Hall both in Durham City.

The sites are only available for those with coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs. uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. The new site is easily accessible without a car.

Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practicing good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history which includes more than 800 sites across the UK, including 90 drive-through sites, 510 walk-through sites, six Lighthouse laboratories, home testing and satellite kits, and a large number of mobile units.