Walk-through COVID-19 testing centre to open in Ludlow

A new walk-through COVID-19 testing facility for those with symptoms will open in Ludlow this week.

The site will be open for appointments from Thursday at the following location:

Smithfield Car Park, Lower Galdeford, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1RN

The testing centre is open from 8am until 8pm seven days a week. Tests can be booked by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

Testing is available for anyone who has one of the main of COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new cough, or a change in sense of taste or smell.

All appointments must be pre-booked.

The new site is situated where it is easily accessible without a car. Those who do travel by car are being encouraged to park in the Galdeford Car Park and walk to the site. 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 while travelling to and from the centre.

Once you are registered you will receive confirmation of the time you must attend the testing site: you will only be allowed in with this information.

Strict infection control measures will be in place to ensure the testing units are operated with the highest levels of public health safeguards.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health said: “Effective testing for COVID-19 is one of the first lines of defence in reducing infections. Ludlow residents with lesser known COVID-19 symptoms – such as shortness of breath, a headache, fatigue and a sore throat – can now get tested at this site.

“The test for COVID-19 is free and it is important that we all follow Government guidance about getting a COVID-19 test if we start to show any symptoms. Everyone who you live with and those in your support bubble, must also stay at home.

“A national lockdown gives everyone a simple, straightforward message: stay at home, and we are pleading with people to follow that advice – not only to protect themselves and their loved ones, but our local NHS workers as well, who are coming under increasing pressure.

“That means staying at home but for a few exceptional reasons including for exercise, shopping for essentials, and travelling to work if you cannot do so from home. You can also leave home to seek help if you are unsafe or at risk of danger. But unless it necessary, you should stay at home and deny the virus any opportunity to spread.”