Bolton’s remaining lateral flow test site will close tomorrow (March 31 ) following changes to national legislation. The government announced in February that free testing for most citizens would end on March 31.
The Victoria Plaza site, next to Specsavers in the town centre, will close its doors tomorrow. The other remaining site at Bolton Arena closed on March 25. Bolton council has meanwhile paid tribute to the staff who it says have worked 'tirelessly' at the testing sites over the past year.
More than 20,000 tests have been carried out across six testing sites since they were set up in January 2021 and more than 70,000 home test kits have been collected by residents since last April. People from a range of backgrounds, most of them with no previous clinical experience, came together to work as a team, the council has said.
Team leader Coral-Rose Clyne said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time working across the testing sites, especially at Victoria Plaza.It’s been a really rewarding experience to know you’ve had a role in helping stop the spread of the virus in our borough. Meeting so many members of our community and working with such a great team has been the highlight for me.”
Bolton council’s director of public health Dr Helen Lowey said: “We would like to thank all the fantastic staff who have been working hard to deliver tests in Bolton. Bolton really led the way with preventative testing approach last summer. Despite the removal of legislation, it’s important to remember Covid hasn’t gone away. It’s still important that we protect ourselves, our friends and loved ones by continuing to take precautions to stop the virus spreading.”
Although the supported testing sites will be closed, Bolton residents will be able to continue to access free LFD tests through our community collect points from April 1. Free PCR tests won't be available to people with Covid symptoms from April either, except for a small number of at-risk groups, with details to be announced.
