Asymptomatic coronavirus test site set to move from Guildhall to Somerstown this weekend

The community test site, currently at the Guildhall, will operate from Somerstown Central at Winston Churchill Avenue from this weekend.

It is set to open its new doors for appointments, drop-ins and home test kit collection at 8am on Saturday, April 10.

Free asymptomatic home test kits can be picked up at Somerstown Central during opening times, which will be from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Guildhall site, which launched back in February, will close at 8pm on Friday, April 9, to guarantee no interruption to appointments.

It has also been announced that a further three months of funding has been secured for the City Council-operated test site.

Helen Atkinson, director of public health at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘Testing is vital in helping to reduce transmission of infection by finding asymptomatic cases so they can self-isolate.

‘Many are already getting tested in a variety of settings such as their workplace or school. The city council's asymptomatic test site will give an additional flexible approach for anyone not tested through a national programme, who wants to do their bit to keep infection rates as low as possible for us all.

‘Testing if you have symptoms or when you don’t is part of the process of reducing the spread of coronavirus, and anyone who tests positive for coronavirus must isolate immediately. Those self-isolating are then contacted to help trace their close contacts to contain the spread.’