As part of the NHS Covid-19 asymptomatic testing programme, Bath & North East Somerset Council is operating a Covid-19 rapid testing van that will travel to various locations in B&NES from Monday 9th August for seven weeks.
The van will offer supervised lateral flow testing for those without symptoms and give out free home self-test kits.
Overview
Rapid lateral flow tests are for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). Around one in three people with coronavirus do not have symptoms and can spread the virus without knowing it. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have the virus.
We’re using a testing van to help our residents access lateral flow tests, particularly out in our rural areas. People can take a test at the van and pick up free test kits for themselves and their household.
The aims of the van are to increase confidence in and uptake of regular lateral flow testing, and we will be offering both testing and collection of lateral flow tests. The van will operate as a drop-in service so people won’t have to book, they can just turn up and either pick up test kits, have a supervised test or simply come along and ask us about testing, vaccination, or other COVID-19 questions.
The council are working with Richmond Event Management (REM) to deliver this service to B&NES residents. REM also run our Burton Street rapid test site in Bath.
Locations & Timings
The locations will be published here and you can view the latest schedule below. Please email public_health@bathnes.gov.uk if you would like weekly emails of the van timetable for the week ahead.
The van will visit from 9:00am-5:00pm seven days a week from Monday 9 August to the end of September.
The wider community testing programme offer
Our three static sites (Ashton Way car park, Keynsham, South Road car park, Midsomer Norton and Burton Street, Bath) remain a valuable resource to assist the public with lateral flow tests and to give out free home test kits and are all in place until 6 August. The focus of the programme changes when our static sites in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton close, to be replaced by the mobile van with an outreach team, aimed at reaching out to those communities that are under-represented in testing and those that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Our site at Burton Street in Bath remains very popular and will continue to be in place for tests and for home test kit collection until the end of September. The number of people using this great facility is increasing and more positive cases are being identified as a result.
If you or someone you know, needs any assistance in doing a test, then please come to any of our sites for help.
Free home self-test kits are also available from any local pharmacy in B&NES. Check your nearest pick up point here. You can also order rapid tests online, or call 119, for delivery to your home. Lines are open 7am to 11pm and calls are free.
Test kits are also available at the following locations:
Timsbury Library
Radstock Library
Bishop Sutton library
Love Weston Library
Midsomer Norton Library and Information Centre
Keynsham Library and Information Centre
Bath One Stop Shop (Lewis house, Manvers Street)
We’re also working with a number of local trusted organisations to ensure vulnerable groups have access to lateral flow testing via their local service providers
How are we letting people know about the van?
We are writing to district councillors, parish councillors and key community organisations and asking them to communicate directly with residents and service users. We will provide them with posters, social media assets, and useful information. Communications will go out regularly to let you know when the van will be in your area.
We will also send out more general widespread communications via our own social media channels, website and e-connect newsletter.
Date Time Location
18th Aug All day Beacon Hall, Peasedown St John
19th Aug 9am - 11am Bath City Farm, Bath
12pm – 3pm Pennyquick Park, Bath
3.30pm – 5pm Twerton High Street (near the zebra crossing)
20th Aug AM Mulberry Way, Combe Down, Bath
PM Sladebrook Church, Englishcombe Lane, Bath
21st Aug All day Morrison's, London Rd, Bath
22nd Aug All day Royal Victoria Park, Bath
23rd Aug All day Sladebrook Church, Englishcombe Lane, Bath
24th Aug AM Radstock Working Men’s Club
PM Paulton Village Hall
25th Aug All day Twerton High Street
26th Aug 9am – 12pm Lidl, Lower Bristol Road, Bath
12pm – 5pm Entry Hill, Bath
27th Aug All day Morrison’s, London Road, Bath
28th Aug All day South Road Car Park, Midsomer Norton
29th Aug All day Guildhall Car Park, Bath
Any questions?
Please contact Louise Lees at public_health@bathnes.gov.uk
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