Walk-in testing units will be in place in the Bradford District this weekend and next week so local people can receive quick Covid-19 tests.
The units are available for anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19, such as high temperature, a new cough, or a change in sense of taste or smell.
No appointment is necessary for the mobile units, which are run by armed forces staff as part of the national coronavirus testing programme.
Registration will take place on-site to include people on to the NHS Track and Trace portal and the mobile units will be available from 10 am to 4 pm each day across the city.
Social distancing and health guidelines will be in place, including, face coverings and remaining two-metres apart from others when possible. Attendees are advised to not travel by public transport if they have symptoms.
Bradford District’s first walk-in testing centre in Centenary Square in the city centre opened last wee for pre-booked appointments and a limited number of drop-in tests.
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.”
For more information about NHS Test and Trace visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
