As some lockdown rules ease from today (Monday 29th March) – Oldham is changing when and where people can continue to be tested.
For people taking part in regular testing and not showing symptoms, for example anyone who can’t work from home or care home visitors, the four current sites in Uppermill, Failsworth, Shaw and Oldham Town Centre leisure centre will close on Wednesday 31st March.
Instead several community sites, such as local pharmacies, will become the locations for people to be tested on a regular basis from Thursday 1st April.
Another key part of coronavirus testing is home testing. Where people eligible for family home testing can pick up free testing kits will be changing from Monday 29th March.
The new locations are: Lees Library, Crompton Library, Failsworth Library, The Link Centre (Oldham Town Centre). Those eligible for home testing include:
* households, childcare and support bubbles of early years children, nursery children, primary and secondary-age pupils and college students
* households, childcare and support bubbles of staff of nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and colleges
* anyone who works in an occupation related to a childcare provider, school, nursery or college, and their household, childcare and support bubbles
* staff of primary and secondary schools, nurseries and colleges
Secondary School children and College students have now moved from testing in schools to being given home testing kits and are being encouraged to do these at least twice a week and to record their results with their school and the national test and trace app.
Oldham also has ‘PCR’ coronavirus testing facilities in at Southgate Street (in Oldham town centre), Peel Street (Chadderton) and Honeywell Centre.
PCR tests are the tests you should use if you have symptoms or are concerned that you may have coronavirus.
Free ‘PCR’ testing is available at these sites seven days a week to anyone showing symptoms or has concerns about coronavirus. There are also mobile testing sites on a regular basis around Oldham.
The best way to book a slot is to go to gov.uk website, or call 119, but walk up appointments are available if the site is not busy.
If you have symptoms or suspect you may have coronavirus, you and all members of your household must self-isolate until you are able to get tested and have received your test result. If the result is positive you will need to continue to isolate in line with national guidance.
For more detail on Coronavirus support and help in Oldham go to the Council’s website – https://www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus