Further rapid Covid-19 test sites open in Wigan

The four sites are helping to identify those without symptoms who have Covid-19 at the earliest possible opportunity to reduce onward transmission.

Those who live and work in the borough and come into regular contact with the public because of their job, volunteering role or caring responsibility can book twice weekly repeat testing slots.

This includes education or childcare workers, those working in sheltered living facilities, frontline workers including taxi drivers, plumbers, electricians or informal carers and volunteers.

The sites are also available to smaller businesses where staff are unable to work from home.

In addition, ‘pop up’ sites, for members of the general public, will be mobilised as required in areas of high infection.

The four testing sites are:

• Leigh South Community Centre, 32 Hope Carr Road, Leigh WN7 3ET

• Golborne Library, Tanners Lane, Golborne, Warrington, WA3 3AW

• Progress House, Westwood Park, Wigan WN3 4HH

• Standish Leisure Centre, Rectory Ln, Standish, Wigan WN6 0XB

Those who do have symptoms should still book for a PCR test through the national online system or via the 119 number.

Prof Kate Ardern, director of public health for Wigan Borough, said: “These sites are part of our targeted testing at scale programme, which is different to the ‘mass-testing’ approaches conducted in other areas of the country.

“The lateral flow testing is helping us to identify outbreaks and ensure residents are able to isolate quickly to break the chain of transmission.”

Test slots and repeat visits can be booked via the Wigan Council website but residents must meet the specified criteria.

Anyone coming to the testing sites is required to adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear a mask on arrival. Residents who are displaying symptoms will not be allowed on site and should book a PCR test straightaway.

The tests take around five minutes, visitors can then leave the site and will be notified of the result via text message.

Opening times are 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays.

Evening slots are available at the Leigh site on a Tuesday and Wigan (Progress House) on a Wednesday (both until 8pm).

Both Leigh and Wigan (Progress House) have Saturday appointments 9am to 12.30pm

To book a test, visit: https://covidtest.wigan.gov.uk/Wigan/Booking.

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