New coronavirus testing site opened in Bury Park

The new walk-in testing facility opened at the Bury Park Community Resource Centre in Luton yesterday (Wednesday) as part of the government’s drive to improve the accessibility of testing.

Anyone in Luton can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119, and results can be expected the next day.

The site on Bury Park Road is easily accessible without a car.

Those being tested are required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout - including travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely.

Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “Testing is proving an effective way to contain the virus so we are scaling testing capacity and walk-through centres to make it even easier for everyone to get a free coronavirus test.

“Our NHS Test and Trace service will contact you if you test positive or if you have been in close contact with someone who has the virus. I urge anyone with symptoms to book a test today, and anyone contacted by NHS Test and Trace to follow their advice to protect those around them from the virus.”

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts.

This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book at test if they develop symptoms.

The government has also set up a home-testing service, supported by Amazon's logistics network and other commercial partners. Home test kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house.