Coronavirus: Rapid testing being offered to students returning to Shropshire for Christmas
Students who have recently arrived in Shropshire for the festive season, or are still planning to travel back, are being invited to book a coronavirus test, whether they have symptoms or not.
All students, regardless of whether they were tested at their respective universities, are welcome to take a test.
The Government, through universities, have been enabling students and staff who are asymptomatic and therefore are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 to attend local testing sites and take a test. These tests will help minimise the risk of transmitting COVID -19 so we can all protect our families, our friends and our communities.
Students were urged to check the availability of such tests with their universities before travelling home for Christmas. If they tested positive, this would allow them to complete self-isolation at university before returning home for Christmas.
However, for those who recently returned to Shropshire, local tests are also available. Shropshire Council is making tests available for asymptomatic students at local sites across Shropshire.
Student testing is available up until Monday 21 December 2020.
Rapid (lateral flow) testing is being made available to university students returning to Shropshire for the festive break. These tests be booked here:
www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/
Rapid testing slots for returning students will be available on:
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays: 9.15am – 4pm
Saturdays: 9.30am – 12.15pm
These tests must be booked in advance, using the above link.
In addition, students can also get regular testing in Shropshire at the following sites through 119 or online
- London Road Car Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6PG
- Beatrice Street Car Park, Oswestry, SY11 1QW
- Newport Road Car Park, Newtown, Market Drayton, TF9 1JT
Postal tests are also available.
Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said:
“We’ve been encouraging all students to be responsible before returning to Shropshire for the festive period by limiting their social contacts before travelling.
“We have made some progress in recent weeks by cutting our rates of infections. And we need to continue to Drive Down the number of cases in time for Christmas.
“We ask everyone to respect these rules in order to protect the high percentage of older people who live in the county, as well as our families, our friends and our communities.”
Washing your hands regularly, keeping two metres away from people you do not live with and covering your face when in an enclosed space are key methods to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you develop any symptoms, including a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change in your sense of smell or taste, you must self-isolate immediately and book a test by calling.
You can read more about Shropshire’s Tier 2 restrictions here
For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website.
Keep up to date by signing up for COVID-19 updates here
