Published: Wednesday, 25th November 2020
Published on behalf of Norfolk County Council
A new COVID-19 local testing centre opened in Kings Lynn on Saturday, November 21 at the Alive Lynnsport Overflow Car Park. Designed to make testing more accessible for the local community, the local appointment only test centre is aimed at those who may only be able to access a test centre by walking locally.
This new test centre comes as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of Coronavirus testing for local communities.
Residents must wear a face covering to attend the local testing centre or access may be declined. If you have Covid symptoms or are at high risk, appointments can be booked online through nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119; residents will then receive confirmation of their booking and instructions on the next steps. On arrival at the walk-through centre residents will be asked to present the QR code from their booking confirmation email, which will be linked to their test kit barcode. Once the test is complete residents can leave the centre and await the results, which will be received by text or email within 48hrs.
The new centre is situated so it is easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport and wearing a face covering until their test and then after, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.
The walk-through centre is not a drive-through. Parking will be available locally; you can travel by car and then walk into the centre. Once you have had your test you are advised to go home and isolate until you receive your result.
Anyone attending an appointment at the walk-through testing centre will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the testing centre safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
Cllr Stuart Dark, MBE, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection said: ““The Borough Council has been working closely behind the scenes with public health over several weeks to identify and develop this site to make it ready.
"We are really pleased that we have now reached the point that it is open and West Norfolk has its own static site capable of delivering a larger number of tests.”
Norfolk County Council leader and Chair of the Local Engagement Board Andrew Proctor said: “Access to a COVID-19 local test centre is a vital part of county-wide efforts to control the spread of Coronavirus, so we’re delighted that to have the new COVID-19 Kings Lynn Walk-through Testing Centre at Alive Lynnsport Overflow Car Park.
“We are pleased to have found a location which is accessible for those who live nearby to walk to. The new facility will give residents a longer-term option for getting tested in Kings Lynn.”
Telephone 119 to book a test at the Lynnsport testing centre.
Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should book a test immediately: a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, must isolate for 10 days from when they started feeling ill and their household should isolate for 14 days.