Published May 15, 2020 at 17:16
A temporary testing facility for Coronavirus will be heading to Marl Pits Leisure Centre on Newchurch Road in Rawtenstall.
Testing will be taking place from tomorrow (Saturday 16 May) to Monday 18 May.
The Lancashire Resilience Forum wants people to be aware that appointments are required to attend and people must not just turn up.
Organised by the Department of Health and Social Care, working with the armed forces, the site can accommodate hundreds of people per day.
You can usually book a test on the night before, from around 8pm.
Tests can be arranged through the Government’s coronavirus testing webpage, which also includes details of eligibility for testing.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire, said:
“We know that this situation is a difficult time for people. Through testing we can understand more about the scale of this situation and help us to bring normal life back again, once it’s appropriate to do so.
“Mobile testing sites helps us to prioritise certain areas, by adding additional capacity for a short time where it will have the most benefit.
“By testing essential workers and their families if they’re showing symptoms, we can keep vital services running at this time and protect the essential workers themselves.”
Other testing sites are already in operation at Preston College and Royal Blackburn Hospital.
The Lancashire Resilience Forum are working closely with partner organisations to create additional mobile and satellite testing sites in the county. This includes mobile testing for care home staff.
Neil Shaw, chief executive of Rossendale Council, said:
“Ensuring key workers and their families who are showing symptoms can be tested is vital in responding to this virus. We are pleased we have been able to facilitate this for the Lancashire Resilience Forum and hope those eligible book and get tested.”
People experiencing symptoms must follow the government and NHS advice.
You can find out more or book a coronavirus test at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
About Lancashire Resilience Forum
Lancashire Resilience Forum has the primary responsibility for bringing agencies including the police, fire, local authorities and health, together to respond effectively to any emergency, including something like a flu pandemic. Organisations under the LRF umbrella have a specific focus on those people in our communities who are vulnerable, whether by reason of their age, health or any other issue.
Follow @LancsResilience on Twitter for updates.
Filed under : Lancashire Resilience Forum