Businesses urged to use new Rotherwas Covid-19 test site

[Hereford Voice]

Businesses on a Hereford industrial estate are being urged to make full use of a new Covid rapid testing site – and to help keep it open beyond a trial period.

Herefordshire Council says the new lateral flow test site at Block B, Skylon Court in Coldnose Road, Rotherwas, is being operated on a pilot basis until April 30.

The council says it is vital as many businesses in the area use the testing facility as regularly as possible and volunteer to help keep it open beyond the end of the month.

Testing is available to employees who cannot work from home and designed to find people who have the virus but show none of the symptoms.A council spokesperson said:

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“Around one in three people who are infected with Covid-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. So if these cases are identified early it can help to reduce the spread and therefore limit the impact that this has on your business whilst also protecting the local community.

“Lateral flow device (LFD) testing is a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of Covid-19, but who may still be spreading the virus. The tests are easy to use and give results in 30 minutes.

“To operate beyond 30 April, we need the business community of Rotherwas to step-up and run this service, so if you are interested in supporting the testing programme and would like to volunteer, please let us know by signing up with the testing team on site and we will arrange training and support.”

The council says regular testing is essential to help control the spread of the virus. It has issued the following advice to businesses:

• Frequency – It is recommended that testing is undertaken twice weekly.
• Assistance – There will be a number of trained staff on site, to meet and greet, signpost people, advise on how to undertake your swab and answer any questions throughout the process.
• Clothing – Exterior doors and windows will be open to provide fresh air ventilation so please dress accordingly. Please do not bring any unnecessary items or bags that may be cross-contaminated.
• Registration – For the registration process you will need to have a smart device (phone or tablet) with a camera function to scan a QR code. If you do not have a smart device, additional devices are available on site to use and the registration assistant will be on hand to advise, however, it may cause a slight delay in the registration process if you are not using your own device. The registration process requires answering a number of questions on the device, so if you require reading glasses please ensure you have them to hand.
• Process – Link to demonstration self-swabbing process:
• Results – To receive your results, you will need to input your mobile phone number, so ensure you have this to hand for the registration process.
• Booking – No booking necessary just turn up!

The centre is open from 8am to 2pm on Monday, 1-6pm on Wednesday and 8am-2pm on Friday.

Testing is available to all those that work on the industrial estate and is on a first come, first served basis. You should not attend if you are showing any symptoms of Covid-19.