Coronavirus: Changes to COVID-19 testing sites in Shropshire 

A number of changes are being made to COVID-19 testing sites in Shropshire, as people are encouraged to take twice-weekly rapid Lateral Flow Tests at home. 

From Saturday 1 May 2021 at 10am, residents who do not have COVID-19 symptoms will be able to collect a rapid Lateral Flow Tests kit additionally from Shirehall in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, for home use. 

The former Column Restaurant area near the front of the building will be open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 8pm, and on Saturdays from 10am until 4pm, for collecting LFT kits. 

Lateral Flow Tests – COVID-19 home test kits – Shirehall, Shrewsbury collection point map

This will allow the nearby site on London Road, opposite the White Horse pub, to be used solely for PCR testing. 

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:

“Regular testing as part of our everyday lives will play an important role as restrictions are cautiously lifted. 

“We strongly encourage people in Shropshire to test twice a week using the rapid Lateral Flow Tests. These are now readily available across the county in various locations to test at home, and will give a result in about 30 minutes. 

“These tests are an important tool alongside ‘hands, face, space, vaccinations and fresh air’, in allowing us to move forward safely as we ease out of the third Lockdown. 

“I would also like to stress that everyone should be taking part in regularly testing – even if you have been vaccinated.” 

Some of the county’s symptom-free walk-in centres will cease offering on-site testing over the coming weeks, but will remain open for people to collect LFT home-testing kits. 

Walk-in testing provision at The Lantern in Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury will cease at the end of Saturday 1 May 2021, and walk-in testing provision at Stage Door in Wem will finish at the end of Sunday 9 May 2021. 

Meanwhile, Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury will remain open for walk-in testing until the end of Sunday 16 May 2021. 

There are many places around the county where you can collect the testing kits, including pharmacies, leisure centres, libraries, and local shops. For a full list of where to collect LFTs click here 

Each kit contains seven Lateral Flow Tests, and an instruction booklet on how to take the tests and report the results. 

People with COVID-19 symptoms should NOT take a less-accurate rapid Lateral Flow Test. Instead, please stay at home and book a more reliable PCR test online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.     

Further information 

Step Up and help us stop the spread of coronavirus: 

• Work from home if you can 
• Limit contact with other people 
• Keep your distance from people not in your household bubble (at least 2 metres apart where possible) 
• Stick to a maximum group of 6 people when meeting outdoors  
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
• Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms 
• Wear a face covering in any enclosed public places and public transport, along with any indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult and where you will meet people you do not normally meet. 
• If you have any symptoms, please book a test and do not leave home until you have either a negative result, or you have isolated for at least 10 days if you do not take a test – you may continue to isolate longer than 10 days if you continue to experience high temperature.  
• People living in households with a positive case should self-isolate for 10 days. 
• Any contacts of a positive case must self-isolate for 10 days – even if they are asked to get a test and the result is negative, they must complete the 10 days of isolation. Click here for the latest self-isolation guidance.
• You can book a test by calling 119 or click 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 are open Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm, Saturdays from 9am-1pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.