A NEW testing site for people in the Forest of Dean has opened this week.

Testing for people without symptoms is being extended across the county with the arrival of the third community testing site which opened in Cinderford last Wednesday (March 10).

The centre, located at Miners Welfare Hall on Parragate Road, uses Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) to help identify the virus, before it has the chance to spread.

The centre is the third to come to Gloucestershire, with sites already in Gloucester and Cirencester.

Whilst people are still required to ‘Stay at Home’, LFD testing at these locations is mainly for those who still have to leave the house for essential reasons, including for work or to care for others, or who are part of a household or support bubble with school aged children. Residents are encouraged to book a test at their nearest site. People who are clinically extremely vulnerable should continue to shield.

Alongside testing centres and workplace testing, a Community Collect programme has been introduced for members of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or pupils to access regular testing. Secondary school pupils will also test twice weekly to help keep Covid out of the classroom.

Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “Getting a regular, rapid test can help prevent the spread of Covid and get us moving more quickly back to a more normal life.

“Whilst a negative test does not 100 per cent mean that a person doesn’t have the virus, the test tends to catch people when they are most infectious, helping prevent the spread to others. It’s important to remember that a LFD test does not mean that you can stop following the rules around hands, face, space and ventilate.”

For more information on testing, including open hours and booking details can be found at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/testing.

People who display Covid symptoms should still isolate immediately and book a test at Hempsted Meadows PCR testing facility, the new walk in sites in Cheltenham and Stroud or at one of the county’s mobile units, using the national testing portal.