The sites at the car parks at the Dolphin Swimming Pool in Poole, Two Riversmeet in Christchurch and the Swannery in Weymouth are currently visited around twice a week by a mobile testing unit but from the middle of January the sites will be at these locations every day.

The sites will be available to book on the online portal by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119. Home testing kits are available for those who can’t get to a testing site.

Cllr Nicola Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for COVID Resilience and Public Health, said, “It’s reassuring to know that local residents can access testing quickly and easily should they need it with the introduction of the walk-in sites. It is really important to have testing available to those who need it. If anyone develops coronavirus symptoms, do not hesitate, book a test online or over the phone.”

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said, “It’s great news that the walk-in sites will be available every-day from January. We are still very much living with COVID-19 so it is important that testing is accessible to everyone.”

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms: a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change of taste or smell must self-isolate and book a test.

The full list of testing sites available in Dorset:

Bridport, Dorchester, Swannery Car Park, Weymouth, Purbeck Park, Hawkwood Road, Boscombe, Wallisdown, Lansdowne, Creekmoor, Dolphin Swimming Pool Car Park, Poole, Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch.

Each site will be made available to book depending on their scheduled location and capacity.

The Wallisdown testing site will be out of use during January to help students return back to Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth safely.