A fourth local test site is opening in Rotherham on Friday 20 November to help residents living outside of the town centre access vital support during the coronavirus pandemic.
From Friday, residents in and around Maltby will be able to book COVID-19 test appointments for the new test site based in the Maltby Leisure Centre car park.
The test site offers a more accessible location for residents and offers them a closer alternative to the site at Forge Island in Rotherham town centre and the recently opened site in Dinnington.
The site is set to open to the public from 2pm – 5pm on Friday and from 10am-5pm on Saturday 21 November.
From Sunday 22 November, the site will be available for appointments between 8am-8pm throughout the week. Tests can be booked by going on the NHS website or by calling 119.
When fully operational, the seven-bay test site will be able to run 252 COVID tests per day which means it can take over 1,700 tests each week.
Some parking is available near the site, however local residents are encouraged to walk to the test site where possible.
Rotherham Council member for Public Health, Cllr David Roche, said: “As part of Rotherham Council’s strategy to combat COVID-19, we are working with the Department of Health and Social Care to make sure we have the sites and the resources available to make sure everyone in Rotherham who needs a test can get one – no matter where they live in the borough.”
Area Manager at Places Leisure, Richard Cowley, said: “We’re proud of the role we play in keeping the community active, and we’re delighted Maltby Leisure Centre can further support the community at this important time”.
Over the past week, the Council started its local Test and Trace service which runs in addition to the national NHS Test and Trace service. The local service will use text messages and calls from the local number 01709 807319 and should be answered as soon as possible.
Residents are reminded that if they have symptoms of the virus, they must self-isolate at home and book a test as soon as they can.
Everyone they live with or anyone in their support bubble must also self-isolate until they receive their test result. It is also important that members of the public self-isolate while they are waiting to get their test.