Changes to opening times for lateral testing site in Water Orton announced

The opening times for Atherstone's closest lateral flow testing site are set to change as Warwickshire County Council reduces the operating hours for community testing.

From May 24, the Covid-19 testing centre at the Water Orton Community Hall, will only be open five days a week. It will now be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

There will also be reduced opening times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, but the county council has not confirmed the exact times at this stage.

Home testing kits now available from 100 different pharmacies in the county, and as infection rates remain low the council is reducing the scope of lateral flow testing. The site in Bedworth will close altogether at the end of May, meaning that there will now be five permanent sites in Warwickshire.

Director of Public Health for Warwickshire County Council, Shade Agboola said: "Testing remains a key tool in our armoury as we move into the next phase out of lockdown, but with access to tests now increased through workplace testing, care homes, booking online or by picking a test kit from your local pharmacy, the demand for community testing has significantly reduced.

"Therefore, it makes perfect sense for our test centres to adapt to the change in the way residents are accessing testing."

To find out more about testing for those without symptoms of Covid-19 or to find your nearest test centre please visit the WCC website or the NHS testing website.