Two community test sites have been unveiled in Wiltshire this week with more soon to follow.

Wiltshire Council currently has two sites up and running at the leisure centre in Devizes and Five Rivers in Salisbury.

The sites, which were very recently rubber-stamped by the secretary of state, are part of the government’s rapid Covid-19 testing scheme.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, SalisburyFive Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury

The programme is aimed specifically at symptom-free people employed in smaller businesses (under 50 or fewer employees) who cannot work from home.

It was confirmed at today’s Covid-19 press briefing that the scheme also seeks to test people who work as childminders or in private early years settings.

Both of these groups have not been previously catered for under any other mass-testing programme.

Wiltshire’s director for public health, Kate Blackburn said there is scope for the schemes to change but that the local authority will update residents if this is the case.

How do the test centres work?

Firstly, the community testing sites are not drop-in services and must be booked ahead of time by people not showing any Covid-19 symptoms.

You must wear a face mask when you visit the Covid-secure test sites and should only remove the covering when you are doing your swab.

When you turn up for your appointment, the self-administered test should take no more than 15 minutes.

The results of the test should be sent out within half an hour and should anyone receive a positive result back they must begin to self-isolate immediately -- along with anyone they live with.

In the case of a positive test residents may also be contacted by the NHS or public health teams and asked for information to help the alert close contacts.

Mrs Blackburn said that around 100 bookings between the two sites have already been made.

Tests can be booked by clicking here

The future of Covid testing in Wiltshire

Two more test sites will soon be up and running Wiltshire – one at County Hall in Trowbridge and another at Monkton Park in Chippenham.

This follows a government announcement yesterday of a new click and collect style test programme for residents to do at home.

“In a county the size of Wiltshire even one community testing site in Salisbury is not appropriate for the population of Salisbury,” she said.

“Let alone having the ability and resources to do a handful in a big county. I will be looking at that click and collect model to make sure we have opportunities in every community area.”

However, Mrs Blackburn added that this was only announced yesterday and no further information has been given out by the government on the scheme.