Walk-in mobile testing units will be in place in the Bradford District this Saturday to make it easier for local people who think they might be infected with Covid-19 to get tested quickly.
No appointment is necessary for the mobile units, which are run by armed forces staff as part of the national coronavirus testing programme.
The units are available for anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19, such as a high temperature, a new cough, or a change in sense of taste or smell, or thinks they may have the virus.
There will be someone on site to register everyone onto the NHS Track and Trace portal and there will be access to toilet facilities nearby.
The mobile units will be at the following locations from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 11 July:
The Leisure Centre, Keighley car park Hard Ings Road, Victoria Park, Keighley BD21 3JN
Flockton Road Car park, Bradford BD4 7RH
Strict infection control measures will be in place to ensure the testing units are operated with the highest levels of public health safeguards.
People who have symptoms of Covid-19 are not allowed to use public transport so those attending the centre will have to make their own way there
A face covering will need to be worn, and social distancing must also be followed at all times, when at the site and while travelling to and from it.
Bradford Council’s Director of Public Health, Sarah Muckle, said: “Effective testing for Covid-19 is one of the first lines of defence in reducing infections. And if we can reduce the number of infections in the district we will reduce the number of tragic deaths and the likelihood of local lockdown.
“By safely providing tests in accessible locations we are making it far easier for many more people to be tested. The quicker we can detect the virus, the quicker we can support those people to isolate and prevent any further spread within the community.”
Council Leader Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: “In the Bradford District we have done a lot of testing. It’s only through comprehensive testing that we will be able to keep the infection rates going down.
These walk-in mobile testing sites are easy for people to use. No need to book an appointment, just turn up. They complement our own very successful local Marley Fields testing site in Keighley, which complements the national testing sites, as well as the new walk-in centre in Centenary Square.
“It’s because we have such high infection rates that the national coronavirus programme is increasing our testing capacity this weekend. I’d encourage anyone with even the slightest concern about having the virus to use this walk-in facility.”
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are still living with Covid-19 - it has not gone away. Every one of us must continue to play our role by continuing to adhere to social distancing and regular handwashing, especially during this weekend’s further easing of lockdown measures. We do not want an increase in infections and a potential local lockdown.”
Bradford District’s first walk-in testing centre in Centenary Square in the city centre opened earlier this week. It is used for both pre-booked appointments, as well as a limited number of drop-in tests. Results should be made available within 24-72 hours.
For more information about NHS Test and Trace visit www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works.
To book an appointment at a test centre, visit www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test.