By Leah Conway
There will be mobile collection points in several areas across Kirklees. The mobile collection points are Kirklees council’s aim to make it easier for local people to access their free COVID-19 Lateral Flow home testing kits.
The council’s scheme is part of a wider, national drive to reduce infection rates with twice-weekly asymptomatic Covid-19 testing is currently available for everyone in England.
There has been available information on how to get these tests through employee testing, collection sites, pharmacy collection and home delivery. To find out more information about other ways to access your free tests, click here.
However, the mobile collections points provide further support to the people struggling to access these options.
Mobile collection points pilot scheme
As part of a pilot, the council are setting up one-day mobile collection points in the following areas:
- Skelmanthorpe
- Ravensthorpe
- Linthwaite,
- Golcar
- Gomersal
The sites will pop up between 15 April – 18 April 2021.
The pilot test will help the council understand the demand for the service and how to go forward with it.
Who is eligible?
Anyone over 18 can collect two packs of home testing kits. Each kit contains seven tests each. You don’t need to book. You can turn up, but COVID-19 guidelines such as face masks and social distancing will remain.
The tests come with instructions, but there will also be staff on hand to show you how to use the tests. If you wish, you can take a test at the mobile collection point too.
“Help reduce the spread”
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “In addition to getting vaccinated and always remembering hands, face, space, another great way you can help reduce the spread of Covid-19 in your community is getting a rapid lateral flow test twice a week if you are not showing any symptoms.
“Asymptomatic testing helps us identify people who are infectious and could spread the infection to others unknowingly. This is particularly important with restrictions now starting to ease and it now being much more likely to come into contact with people from other households.
“We’re piloting these mobile collection points to make it even easier for people to take up the offer of getting tested twice a week.”
Why taking a test without symptoms helps reduce the spread of coronavirus:
- If you test positive, you help to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 in your household, support bubble and community.
- The test identifies and supports infectious people to isolate themselves before they develop symptoms.
- Testing helps with the management and containment of COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Testing protects those most vulnerable to the impacts and consequences of COVID-19.
However, if you do have symptoms, you can book a test here.
Mobile collection site timetable:
Date | time | Area | Location | Postcode |
Thursday 15th April | 08:00 – 12:00 | Skelmanthorpe | Skate Park | HD8 9DJ |
Thursday 15th April | 13:00 – 17:00 | Skelmanthorpe | Skate Park | HD8 9DJ |
Friday 16th April | 8:00 – 12:00 | Linthwaite | Broad Oak Cricket Club | HD7 5SS |
Friday 16th April | 13:00 – 17:00 | Golcar | Golcar Conservative club | HD7 4AN |
Saturday 17th April | 8:00 – 12:00 | Ravensthorpe | Crow Nest Park | WF13 2SG |
Saturday 17th April | 13:00 – 17:00 | Ravensthorpe | Crow Nest Park | WF13 2SG |
Sunday 18th April | 8:00 – 12:00 | Gomersal | Gomersal Public Hall | BD19 4JP |
Sunday 18th April | 13:00 – 17:00 | Gomersal | Gomersal Public Hall | BD19 4JP |