COVID-19 local testing site to open in Chester

Residents with COVID-19 symptoms will now have access to a new local testing site in the centre of Chester where they can find out if they have coronavirus.

The local testing site (LTS) at Little Roodee car park will be open from Saturday 5 September, 10am – 5pm. From Sunday 6 September, the testing site will be open seven days a week, 8am-8pm. It is a dedicated walk-through site primarily for local people and particularly for those who do not drive and who may previously have found it difficult to access testing.

Residents must arrive on foot or by cycle and there is no free car parking available. If people do choose to drive, they will need to park at a location nearby and walk onto the site. Residents who wish to park on the remainder of the Little Roodee car park will need to pay the standard tariff. People with COVID-19 symptoms are advised not to use public transport and wear a face covering, as well as bringing some form of ID.

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “Our residents can already use existing regional and mobile testing units, but this local testing site makes it even easier for people who live in Chester to get tested.

“It offers good access for those who live in the city centre and will be open for several months to ensure that accessible testing is continually available to people. The location of this site and others we have planned have been identified by Council staff in consultation with elected members, considering local rates of car ownership, deprivation data, and the availability of suitable sites. We hope to announce more local testing sites in our borough shortly.”

“We have been working very closely with colleagues in the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside and the Department for Health and Social Care to ensure the borough has the most accessible testing facilities for our residents when and where they need them.

“We will continue to work closely with key partners to ensure that all of the testing availability is used in the best possible way to help keep people safe as we look to support the recovery of our area and the local economy.”

Residents will be able to pre-book test appointments online through the existing national portal nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Residents also have the option to turn up for a free ‘walk up’ test, without booking, although there may be a short wait. Users will be asked to self-swab when attending. A step-by-step guide to attending a Local Testing Site can be viewed here.

Regional Testing Director for Cheshire and Merseyside, Terry Whalley, said: “Having more semi-permanent Local Testing sites in Cheshire and Merseyside means we will be able to use other testing facilities more flexibly and be able to deploy them in a more targeted way in the future. This will help the Director of Public Health, and other professionals, have a greater say in how testing is used and deployed in their own area.”

Residents with symptoms can still attend the 'pop up' units, which move between Winsford, Chester, Northwich and Ellesmere Port. You will need to book an appointment to attend these mobile testing units. To book an appointment, visit the NHS website or call 119.

Residents can also order home testing kits. Please visit the GOV.UK website for more information.

Protect yourself, your family and friends, by getting a Coronavirus test if you have COVID-19 symptoms:- a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Protect your community by self-isolating for 10 days if you have symptoms (or a positive test result), or 14 days if alerted to do so by a contact tracer.