COVENTRY’s main Covid community testing site in the city centre is relocating from the Transport Museum to Market Way from Monday May 17.
The move comes as the popular car museum gears up to reopen to visitors on Monday May 17. It will be closing for tests at 6.30pm today (Wednesday May 12).
The new testing site in 14 Market Way (CV1 1DL), by the entrance to Coventry Market, opposite Sports Direct, will have six testing booths and be capable of carrying out around 420 tests every day. It will be opening its doors at 9.30am on Monday 17 May.
Until then tests will then temporarily be available at a mobile testing unit outside the Museum from 9am tomorrow (Thursday May 13).
People will also be able to pick up two boxes – 14 kits – of Lateral Flow Tests to carry out at home as part of the Community Collect Service. So far the city’s test centre has proved a great success discovering more than 1,000 positive cases – to people who would otherwise never have known they had the virus.
Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health, said: “We would like to thank the Transport Museum and Culture Coventry for playing such a vital role in helping our city fight the spread of Covid.
“The centre has been really popular, but now with the easing of restrictions the Museum can re-open its fantastic collections to the public and play a major part in our year as UK City of Culture, so we are moving – but not far.
“Our new home in Market Way puts us right in the heart of the re-opening city centre and in a perfect location for shoppers and workers to call in for a quick test or to pick up their home kits.
“Nationally, one in three people with coronavirus show no symptoms and testing is vital as restrictions ease and shops, businesses and venues across the city re-open. I would urge everyone to take regular tests and ensure they are doing all they can to keep themselves and others safe.”
The city’s other six community testing centres are at: the Indian Community Centre in Foleshill; the Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre in Wood End; the Alan Higgs Centre off Allard Way; the AT7 Centre off the A444; the Xcel Centre in Westwood; and the Hagard Community Centre in Willenhall.
Community testing is for anyone who is not showing symptoms of coronavirus and there is no need to book an appointment. Opening hours at the centres are Monday – Friday: 8am to 6.30pm; and Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 3pm
Anyone who has been told to self-isolate or is showing Covid symptoms should not attend a collection site. Those with any of the main Covid symptoms should call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
