People who work for both Dorset Council and BCP Council on the frontline are to be tested weekly for COVID-19

Asymptomatic testing using lateral flow devices (LFD) has already been rolled out nationally to NHS front line staff, care home staff and residents, domiciliary care workers, schools and some commercial organisations.

In the first phase of the Dorset Rapid Testing Programme, there will be weekly LFD testing of some critical workers who come into face to face contact with the most vulnerable.

Testing is available for eligible groups from a mobile unit at the Civic Centre in Poole for BCP Council staff, and at Weymouth Park and Ride for Dorset Council staff. More sites will be looked in to over the coming weeks.

Cllr Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for COVID-19 resilience and public health at BCP Council, said,  “One in three people with COVID-19 have no symptoms so this testing will allow us to identify people who have COVID-19 without realising and ensure they self-isolate, whilst allowing others to keep working safely. It is an extra step in protecting our frontline staff and the people they support in our community.”

Public Health Dorset is now working with both local authorities to identify further community groups to invite to the 12-week asymptomatic testing programme; those who are working to keep essential services running or supporting the Covid effort and those who are vulnerable and at higher risk of transmission. This may also include community testing within council ward areas with high prevalence of COVID-19.

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should continue to use the national portal to book a test at the mobile testing sites and local testing sites around the rest of Dorset.

To book a test visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119.

When booking a test you will get a choice of sites, depending where they are located that day and their capacity. Sites are at: Creekmoor, Poole, Dolphin Swimming Pool Car Park, Poole, Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch, Wallisdown, Lansdowne, Hawkwood Road, Boscombe, Bridport, Dorchester, Swannery Car Park, Weymouth, Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, Purbeck Park and Station Road Car Park in Sturminster Newton