Covid-19 community testing moves to Buckie from Monday
Moray’s mobile covid-19 community testing unit will operate from Buckie’s Fishermen’s Hall from Monday (22 March).
It will be based there from 22 March until at least 2 April. Hours of operation are: Mon, Tues, Thur & Fri between 9.30am – 4.30pm and Wed 1-7pm.
The community testing site also continues at Lossiemouth Town Hall for another week, until 26 March.
Tests are free, and available to members of the public who have no symptoms associated with Covid-19 but who could be infectious and spreading the virus without knowing it.
Karen Sievewright, Environmental Health and Trading Standards Manager, said: “Almost 1 in 3 people with Covid don’t have Covid-19 symptoms but are still infectious and able to pass the virus on to loved ones, friends and the wider community.
“By getting tested at a community testing site, you can find out if you are positive and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus by self-isolating.
“Not only are we helping to protect our family, friends and community, if we can reduce the spread of Covid-19 and continue to follow the other national measures that are in place, we are that one step closer to getting back to doing the things we are unable to do just now.”
Testing is available on a drop-in basis, without the need for an appointment. People attending the centre will be asked to take a Lateral Flow test. These quick and easy tests can be processed on-site with results expected around 30 minutes later.
Anyone who tests negative doesn’t have to take any action but should continue to follow all national guidance.
Where a test is positive, people will be asked to take a confirmatory PCR test and self-isolate as a precaution until the result is known. If this test is also positive individuals and their households will have to self-isolate in line with national guidance.
Information will be available onsite, providing advice on accessing different financial support alongside practical measures such as food packages for those who need to self-isolate.
Norma Matheson, Moray Council’s Benefits Manager, said: “We know that self-isolating can be really difficult for some people - physically and mentally but, more often than not, financially.
“We understand that being asked to self-isolate at short notice can present you with a lot of problems. Not everyone may be lucky enough to have family, friends or good neighbours nearby who can help with things like getting groceries or picking up prescriptions. The Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub can give you details of help available locally with things like shopping, collecting prescriptions etc. You can call them on 0808 196 3384.
“Some people are only a week’s wages away from financial difficulty and can’t afford not to work.
"We don’t want these things to be a barrier to people getting tested. We are here to help support you if you need to self-isolate.”
Members of the public should take their mobile phone to the centre if they have one so that they can receive results. Alternative arrangements will be made for those who do not have a phone.
People should only attend the community testing site if they do not have any Covid-19 symptoms. Do not attend if you:
- have Covid-19 symptoms
- are currently self-isolating because you have been identified as a close contact
- have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 90 days