Changes at Shropshire Covid testing sites
People will no longer be able to do walk-in rapid Covid tests at some Shropshire sites but will be able to collect the tests to take home themselves, health officials have confirmed.
Shropshire Council has revealed a number of changes to the way its testing sites will operate in the coming weeks, and says it is still encouraging people to compete twice weekly rapid lateral flow tests (LFT) at home.
The testing operation has been built up over the county over the past 12 months and has been a key component in bringing the infection rate down.
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: "Regular testing as part of our everyday lives will play an important role as restrictions are cautiously lifted.
"We strongly encourage people in Shropshire to test twice a week using the rapid Lateral Flow Tests. These are now readily available across the county in various locations to test at home, and will give a result in about 30 minutes.
"These tests are an important tool alongside ‘hands, face, space, vaccinations and fresh air’, in allowing us to move forward safely as we ease out of the third lockdown.
"I would also like to stress that everyone should be taking part in regularly testing – even if you have been vaccinated.”
One of the new changes to testing sites will see the rapid test kits available for collection from Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, for people to do at home themselves.
The former Column Restaurant area near the front of the building will be open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 8pm, and on Saturdays from 10am until 4pm, for collecting LFT kits.
Laboratory
The council said it would mean the nearby site on London Road, opposite the White Horse pub, will be used solely for PCR testing – the type of test sent off to a laboratory for results.
Other changes have seen walk-in testing at The Lantern in Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, stopped as of last Saturday , while walk-in tests at Stage Door in Wem will finish at the end of Sunday, May 9.
Meanwhile, Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury will remain open for walk-in testing until the end of Sunday, May 16.
A spokesman for the council said: "There are many places around the county where you can collect the testing kits, including pharmacies, leisure centres, libraries and local shops.
"Each kit contains seven lateral flow tests, and an instruction booklet on how to take the tests and report the results.
"People with Covid-19 symptoms should not take a less-accurate rapid lateral flow test. Instead, please stay at home and book a more reliable PCR test online at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119."
For a full list of where to collect LFTs visit shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/rapid-testing-in-shropshire
