Two more mobile testing sites for coronavirus in Bucks over Bank Holiday weekend

The first will be up and running in Amersham for up to two days from Sunday, 24 May and a second will be operating from Buckingham for up to two days from Bank Holiday Monday, 25 May.

They are in addition to other local and regional coronavirus testing sites, which are still available for residents in Buckinghamshire to use.

Anyone aged 5 years and over who has coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) is now eligible to be tested.

However, tests for essential workers, such as frontline healthcare staff, are being prioritised over tests for the wider public at this time.

To arrange a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on the appropriate link for you within the ‘testing’ section of information. The booking process is slightly different for members of the public to that for essential workers.

Tests must be booked and are not available on a ‘drop-in’ basis. You can also book a test at a different site via the website. Further details of the testing sites will be provided to people when they book their test.

If the mobile testing sites are fully booked then you will be offered testing at the next-closest location.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire Council, said: “Testing is now available to anyone over the age of 5 who has coronavirus symptoms, not just essential workers – although they continue to be prioritised for obvious reasons.

“This is great news and an important step as we work together to stop the spread of coronavirus and help Buckinghamshire’s communities move carefully forward. If you think you need a test, please book a slot.”

Dr Raj Bajwa, GP and Chair of NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Testing is essential to help keep NHS services running smoothly during this outbreak, and to help vulnerable people stay as safe as possible from coronavirus infection.

“These mobile sites will offer a great boost to our testing capabilities in Buckinghamshire, so we hope they will be well-used by those that need them.”

You can find out more about getting tested as a member of the public with symptoms here.

And you can find out more about getting tested as an essential worker here.