Health chiefs have opened a new mobile Covid testing centre right in the heart of Bristol's restaurant and bar area - so workers in the hospitality industry can get tested as often as they want to.
The new mobile coronavirus test centre has been set up on Hannover Quay at the Lloyds Amphitheatre, and people are being encouraged to get tested if they work in one of the many restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes in the city centre - or if they are going out for the night later.
The testing centre is open seven days a week between 9am and 3pm, and is a walk-in centre with no need to book. "This additional site will provide access to asymptomatic PCR testing for all local residents, hospitality and leisure staff and business owners in the local area," explained deputy mayor Asher Craig.
READ MORE: Covid 'growing exponentially' in region as R rate rises
"Younger adults visiting the area for leisure activities are also welcome to make use of this facility.
"Infection rates in Bristol and across the country are rising, particularly in our younger population and groups of people who have not yet been vaccinated. Introducing this new PCR testing site for those demographics will help us in identifying infection early, helping to self-isolate and cut off chains of transmission," she added.
Cases of Covid are 'rocketing' in Bristol, mainly among those who have not yet been vaccinated or only recently been vaccinated and have only had one dose.
That is generally young people, and health chiefs fear one of the drivers of the spread is the now re-opened bars and restaurants, particularly in and around the city centre.
Many restaurants and bars have had to close in the past week or so in Bristol, because of cases among members of staff.
Bambalan in the city centre, Molto Buono on Park Street, The Albion in Clifton Village and The Lazy Dog in Ashley Down are among the hospitality venues to shut this week.
The closures come amid a surge in coronavirus rates across England and the Bristol region, where cases of the Delta variant first identified in India have almost tripled over the past week.
In the city alone the number of known cases has more than doubled, and Bristol continues to record the highest number of all local authority areas in the South West.
According to an update shared by Public Health England on Friday morning (June 18), the total figure for confirmed cases in the city has now reached 397.
The Albion announced on Facebook it was closing until June 25 as a precaution, after the NHS Track and Trace app revealed staff members came into contact with people in isolation.
Martin Lowe, co-owner of the cosy Clifton pub, wrote: "Unfortunately I have made the difficult decision to close the Albion until Friday, June 25.
"This is following a number of our team having been in contact with people who are now isolating under NHS Track and Trace.
"Although this may seem overly cautious the safety of our team and guests is paramount to us."
At The Lazy Dog two members of staff have contracted Covid-19, while staff at Bambalan said they have been "advised to temporarily close down and self-isolate" in a notice attached to the door of the bar.
In a statement, a Lazy Dog spokesperson said they had "no other option" than to isolate for 10 days to "keep everyone safe," adding the closure has left them "gutted".
