Covid test centre in Christchurch to increase opening from two to seven days a week

A CORONAVIRUS test centre in Christchurch is set to increase its capacity by opening seven days a week.

The walk-in site at Two Riversmeet car park, where appointments must be booked, is currently visited by a mobile testing unit twice a week.

However, from mid-January the location will be in use every day, as will centres in Weymouth and Poole.

Rachel Partridge, assistant director of public health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, said: “We welcome the news of the walk-in sites at Weymouth, Poole and Christchurch being available every day for residents who don’t have access to private transport.

“We are always reviewing our testing sites to make sure we have enough access to testing for residents who need a Covid-19 test.”

BCP Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, Cllr Laura Miller, added: “It’s great news that the walk-in sites will be available every day from January.

“We are still very much living with Covid-19 so it is important that testing is accessible to everyone.”

Anyone who develops a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change of taste or smell must self-isolate and book a test by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Home kits are also available for those unable to get to a test centre.