The site is opening at Cecil Street car park and is part of an aim to open more ‘walk through’ test sites across the UK, which are more accessible for people on foot or by bicycle.
This site is in addition to the regional drive through testing sites, as well as home testing both of which can be booked through the Governments online portal.
Free and accessible testing is the cornerstone of the NHS Test and Trace service which brings together testing, contact tracing and outbreak management. This helps prevent the spread of the virus, protect local communities and save lives. Before selecting the site, the Department for Health and Social Care has engaged with local government and public health stakeholders to narrow down and identify a suitable site which best supports communities in the Carlisle constituency.
Anyone experiencing a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ , or by calling 119, or using the NHS Covid-19 app.
John said, “I very much welcome the opening of this site at Cecil Street. We need to get back to doing the things we enjoy the most, and this additional resource for testing in Carlisle will help residents in our community see more of their friends and family, get businesses back on their feet and people in jobs.”