A walk-through coronavirus testing site has opened its doors in Bristol city centre.
Located in the car park of the University of Bristol’s Victoria Rooms near the Triangle, the site has been set up to provide an easily-accessible and central location for more people to get tested for Covid-19.
Also in the city, Bristol Airport has a drive-through testing centre - which opened its doors in April - and there is another one in the car park at Ashton Gate, specifically for staff at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Bristol City Council has said anyone with symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute.
Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Results should arrive the next day, the council statement added.
Christina Gray, director of public health at Bristol City Council, said: "This new walk-through testing site, our first in the city centre, will help encourage more people in Bristol to take the test if they are unwell.
"Its central location means that those who were unable to get to other sites can now access testing more easily to help limit the spread of the virus.
“New reports of Covid-19 in Bristol are monitored very carefully by Public Health teams in both Bristol City Council and Public Health England."
Ms Gray said residents had shown great support and effort in following the guidelines, but that they need to remain vigilant and urged anyone who has symptoms of the virus to book a test as soon as possible to continue to prevent the spread.
Councillor Asher Craig, deputy mayor of Bristol with responsibility for communities, equalities and public health, added: “The people of Bristol should be proud of their efforts in helping limit the spread of the virus.
“The new site at Victoria Rooms, which we hope will be one of many in Bristol, will make it so much easier for people living in the city to get a test done simply and quickly.
"Everyone needs to do their bit and getting a test if you have any symptoms is key to preventing further infections.”
Testing is available to everyone who has symptoms, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
It is advised that those being tested do not travel to the site by taxi or public transport and they should follow social distancing measures, practice good personal hygiene and wear a face covering, including for travelling to and from the testing site, the council statement added.
Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts, the statement explained. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.
The statement added: "Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus.
"They will be advised to also book at test if they develop symptoms. The main symptoms of Covid-19 are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change sense of smell or taste."
