Community Testing Visiting Seven Towns in Seven Days

Next week our community testing teams will be visiting seven Borders towns to offer free, rapid Covid-19 tests at fire stations* in:

Later this month testing will also be available at the following local fire stations:

These sites provide rapid Covid-19 testing for people who are well and without any Covid-19 symptoms between 10:30am and 3pm. You can book your test ahead of time by calling 01896 826370 or emailing ATS.Service@borders.scot.nhs.uk.

These sites are only for people without symptoms. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should book a test in the usual way via the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 028 2816.

Director of Public Health, Dr Tim Patterson, said: “We would like to thank the people of the Borders for good levels of engagement with our community testing programme as well as their input through exit surveys at testing facilities.

“Insights into why and when people come to be tested, amongst other helpful information, have led us to trial a new schedule which will provide more regular testing across the Borders.

“Regular Covid-19 testing is important especially as lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease and we will inevitably start mixing with other people more. Not everyone who has Covid-19 will have symptoms, so people could be spreading the disease without knowing it. We can only find these cases through testing and therefore stop the spread within our communities. 

“We would encourage everyone who does not already receive regular testing through another route, such as their workplace or school, to consider getting a rapid Covid-19 test through our community testing programme. It takes about five minutes to get tested using a lateral flow device (LFD) and your results will be sent to you by text message.

“Even if you receive a negative test and a degree of reassurance that you were Covid-19 free at the point in time when the test was taken, it is crucial that you still continue to stick to the rules and remember the FACTS:

• Face coverings in enclosed spaces
• Avoid crowded places
• Clean hands and surfaces regularly
• Two metre distancing; and
• Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms”

Dedicated assistance is available to anyone who needs to self-isolate, including food packages and financial support through calling your Community Assistance Hub on 0300 100 1800.

Further advice and information on what support is available for people who need to self-isolate is available from NHS Inform.

Further information about this testing initiative can be found on the NHS Borders Community Testing Programme webpage.