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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Abi Smillie

Covid test sites to close from May as NHS move to 'targeted approach' of testing in Ayrshire

Coronavirus testing sites will close from May as the NHS moves to a ‘more targeted approach’ of Covid testing.

After May 1, those displaying symptoms of the virus — a fever, continuous cough, or loss of taste or smell — are asked to stay home.

And from mid-April, Ayrshire residents will no longer require to test themselves regularly if they are well and don’t have Covid-19 symptoms.

If you do have symptoms, you should still isolate and book a PCR test until the end of April via nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 119.

Lisa Davidson, assistant director Public Health, said: “Testing regularly and contact tracing have become part of our daily life.

“While we will still have some access to both, this will be a more targeted approach.”

Ayrshire Live have compiled a list of changes you can expect to see to mass testing:

From April 1, 2022

Pharmacy collection will no longer be available. Until 14 April, members of the public will still be able to pick up a LFT kit from our test sites.

Until 18 April, members of the public will still be able to order kits online via https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/order-lateral-flow-kits/ or by calling 119.

From April 14, 2022

This will be the last operational day for our Asymptomatic Test Sites in Ayrshire.

In Ayrshire, this will be the last day for picking up a LFT kit from test sites; collection points or libraries; and vaccination clinics.

If you have symptoms, you should still isolate and book a PCR test more details on how to do this can be found on our website.

From April 18, 2022

LFT kit collection from test sites elsewhere in Scotland will cease.

People without symptoms will only be able to access LFT kits if they are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or if they are visiting a hospital or care home. Access will be via the online portal.

If you have symptoms, you should still isolate and book a PCR test.

From May 1, 2022

Access to PCR testing for the wider population with symptoms will end. Physical test sites will close. This includes the UK Government walk-through and drive-through sites.

Contact tracing will end as a population wide measure, but instead will be delivered by local public health teams and will be targeted at high-risk settings.

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