Covid-19 update - Free testing ends from 1 April
The number of new coronavirus cases in Telford and Wrekin have risen in the last week and are above the national and regional average.
As part of the government’s national “Living with Covid” strategy, following changes and guidance have been announced from Friday, 1 April:
Testing
• Free PCR and LFT testing ends for the general public from Friday, 1 April. This means the closing of borough’s walk-through PCR sites (The Place Oakengates, Legges Way Madeley, Wrekin Car Park Wellington, Ironbridge Park and Ride) as well as LFT collection points at Council’s locations (Southwater, Newport, Wellington and Madeley libraries and The Place Oakengates) and other borough’s LFT collection points. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) is nationally managing the dismantling of PCR testing sites, with the above-mentioned PCR testing sites in our borough to be gradually dismantled over the coming months.
• Free COVID-19 tests will continue to be available for specific groups, to help protect people at risk of serious illness from Covid-19 as well as NHS and adult social care staff.
• If you do not fall into the categories listed by the government as continuing to be eligible for free testing, but wish to test yourself for Covid-19: LFT tests will be available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, including online.
Self-isolation
• Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result is advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious.
The government’s guidance outlining the next steps for living with Covid-19 is available on the government's website.
Liz Noakes, Telford and Wrekin's Director for Public Health, said:
“It is important for all our residents to remember that Covid-19 has not gone away even if the government’s free testing comes to an end.
“All the small things we have learned to keep ourselves and others in the community safe (such as hands-face-space, staying home when feeling unwell) become even more important now, as the majority of us will simply not know what our Covid status is and could spread the virus without knowing to someone more vulnerable to it.
“Covid is still a real risk to many of us, particularly with case rates and hospitalisations high and on the rise in our borough.”
“Let’s continue to take small, vital precautions to live safely with the virus and keep each other safe and well.”
Cllr Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Well-Being, Equalities and Partnerships (Labour), said:
"With cases on the rise and with the government’s free testing programme coming to an end, vaccines remain our first line of defence against Covid-19.
"We will continue to work with our NHS partners to ensure vaccines are easily accessible across the borough.
"It's never too late to get vaccinated, to keep yourself and your loved ones protected.
“We particularly encourage our residents over 75 years old and people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed to come and get their vital spring booster vaccine, to ensure they boost their immunity against this virus.
"Vaccination clinics continue to be open across the borough - check the list of local clinics on Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System website.”
