Worthing’s walk-in coronavirus test centre is being moved – here’s all you need to know
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Adur & Worthing Councils confirmed NHS Test and Trace will close the current site on the Civic Centre car park in Stoke Abbott Road on Tuesday (May 18), to allow contractors to begin constructing the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) this summer.
The test facility will be relocated to a temporary location at Union Place, with officials expecting it to reopen to the public on Thursday (May 20).
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Hide AdWorthing Borough Council which is overseeing the WICC project – a new multi-million pound health hub – is supporting the move by providing the land free of charge for the short term use.
This will ensure it will not have any impact on longer term ambitions to regenerate the site, it said.
A spokesman added: “While covid rates remain low in our area, it is vital that as restrictions lift people with symptoms continue to get tested via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.”
They said anyone can get a free test quickly to find out whether they have the virus and need to stay at home, or can safely return to work and get back to the things they love.
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Hide AdAnd in its offer to NHS Test and Trace, the council said it has been clear that it remains committed to driving forward the long-term regeneration of Union Place, which received outline planning permission last year and it may have to vacate again when the need arises.
“This temporary use in no way restricts our ability to find a partner to help bring forward exciting plans to transform this long under used town centre site,” the spokesman added.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute.
Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Results are provided the next day.
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Hide AdThe site is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout – including travelling to and from the testing centre.
Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-in test site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely.
Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
For further details on testing, including regular asymptomatic testing for all, visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.