A new rapid COVID-19 test and collect site has been opened in the centre of Bath following the closure of the Apex Hotel as a testing location.
Taking a lateral flow test | Photo © B&NES Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council is opening the site at 3 Burton Street to offer testing and test kit collections for shoppers and workers in the city centre.
The opening times are 7am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays. Tests can be booked via www.bathnes.gov.uk/rapidtest.
Testing at sites in Midsomer Norton and Keynsham can also be booked via the link.
There are now more than 40 sites across Bath and North East Somerset where people can collect a kit. You can find your nearest site here: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
Residents are being urged to regularly visit one of the test centres in B&NES to either take a test, or to pick up a test kit. Testing is being carried out twice a week, three to four days apart.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, said: “It’s good news that lockdown restrictions are continuing to ease, but this does mean an increased risk of Covid-19 transmission.
“Our new test and collect site will make it easier than ever for you to grab a test while you’re out shopping in Bath, or even on your lunch break.
“Please continue to test twice a week and keep following the rules so that we stay on track with the Government’s roadmap.”
Becky Reynolds, Director of Public Health, said: “It’s still really important that we all keep working hard to break the chains of transmission of Covid-19 by carrying out regular rapid testing. Having a test is easy and there are lots of places where you can pick up a test kit.
“This new site will make it even easier for those people shopping and working in Bath. Let’s stay on track.”
Having a Covid-19 lateral flow test (LFT) is quick and easy. Once you’ve registered online, getting tested takes just five minutes – with the results being sent by text or email later that day.
The tests are open to anyone over the age of 16 who lives or works in Bath and North East Somerset – provided they don’t have symptoms.
Testing sites at the Masonic Hall, Bath Road, Keynsham and the Centurion Hotel, Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton are also open at the same times, from Monday to Saturday.
