A NEW walk-in Covid-19 testing site will be operational in Barrow this week to boost capacity across the area.
The unit will be located in The Courtyard, at Barrow Town Hall - to make coronavirus tests available seven days a week.
The new unit will offer appointments to members of the public from Thursday, October 22. These should be bookedin advance online via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
The site is easily accessible without a car, though car parking is available in the adjacent Market Street Car Park as well as others nearby.
Anyone tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not using public transport, handwashing and wearing a mask from leaving home until they return after the test.
Those testing positive will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
Appointments are for anyone suffering symptoms such as:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- A loss of taste or smell
The unit’s opening hours will be:
- Thursday, October 22 - 2pm to 5pm
- Friday, October 23 - 10am to 5pm
- Saturday, October 24 onwards - 8am to 8pm
The borough of Barrow was deemed to be an area of high risk by the government on Saturday as Covid-19 infection rates continued to rise.
One of Cumbria’s mobile testing units has offered appointments from the Waterfront Car Park, near to the Resolution Building, since August. This unit will now be deployed elsewhere in the county.
The siting of the new walk-in unit will mean disabled parking spaces provided in The Courtyard at Barrow Town Hall will not be available from Tuesday, October 20 onwards.
Alternatively, motorists with a blue badge can instead park free in any pay and display car park operated by Barrow Borough Council - including the adjacent Market Street Car Park - for up to three hours.
Councillor Ann Thomson, Barrow Borough Council leader, said: "I'm pleased to see this facility arrive in Barrow to give people across the area access to appointments seven days a week.
"I would urge everyone to follow the lockdown rules and to do all they can to minimise the spread of this deadly virus through our communities. Your actions - however small - can and will save lives."