Everyone in South Lanarkshire encouraged to get Covid test

The community testing initiative, a partnership of Scottish Government, NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Council, aims to drive down rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly.

Residents will be tested using lateral flow devices, which can give people their results in around 45 minutes. Any positive cases will then be confirmed by PCR test.

Testing is available at Larkhall Leisure Centre from 9.30am-5.30pm with no need to book.

This site is only for people without symptoms, those who do should book a test in the usual way by visiting nhsinform.scot or calling 0800 028 2816.

Gabe Docherty, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Public Health, said: “Covid-19 can be spread by people who don’t have symptoms or the symptoms are so mild people may not recognise that they have the infection.

“For the benefit of yourself and your community, I would encourage people who do not have Covid-19 symptoms to get a test. The test results will help to detect the virus and limit its spread.

“If your test result is positive, the centres will give advice about support for isolation. If your result is negative, it is important that you continue to follow the current guidance including physical distancing, using face coverings and hand-washing to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”