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Libraries to act as hubs for ‘collect & drop’ Covid tests
A new ‘collect and drop’ testing service begins across Bristol on Tuesday as part of the additional ‘surge testing’ for Covid-19.
The collect and drop sites are situated in five Bristol libraries and three libraries in South Gloucestershire.
The programme will run for two weeks for people over the age of 16 who live or work within the 24 previously specified postcode areas and who do not have coronavirus symptoms.
is needed now More than ever
A single test over the next fortnight will help health experts identify where the Covid-19 mutation is present in the city, and enable people to isolate if their result is positive.
Testing kits will be issued from the libraries, with tests needed to be carried out at home before being returned to the location it was collected from.
The sites for collection and drop-off are
- Fishponds Library
- Henleaze Library
- Junction 3 Library
- Whitchurch Library
- Wick Road Library
- Emersons Green Library
- Downend Library
- Staple Hill Library
Christina Gray, director for public health in Bristol, and Sara Blackmore, director for public health in South Gloucestershire, said that they “can’t thank our staff enough for the monumental effort they’ve put in over this weekend to get systems in place quickly and effectively to keep our residents safe.”
In a statement, they said: “While the majority of people who are eligible will be able to take a test through the new MTU (mobile testing unit) sites or our collect and drop service, other ways for anyone not able to do this are being carefully considered by both local authorities.
“We are so grateful to everyone for playing their part in helping to prevent the spread of the virus and protect our communities.”
For more information about additional community testing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, visit www.bristol.gov.uk/coronavirus or beta.southglos.gov.uk/testing
Main photo: Paul Parry
Read more: ‘Surge testing’ to take place across Bristol to deal with mutated virus
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