Testing for Covid-19 has been scrapped from today, with no more free PCR tests or lateral flow tests available in Bristol and the UK. The service has been ended as a part of the government's 'living with Covid' plan.
In a press release, Bristol City Council confirmed that the free testing provision in the city has ended, and Mayor Marvin Rees paid tribute to Bristol's response to testing, saying that it's "a testament to our strong spirit and kindness".
As the government withdraws funding and support for PCR test sites in and around the city, the council has confirmed that they will be dismantled, starting with the Victoria Rooms testing centre in mid-April.
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As of right now, you cannot book a free PCR test in Bristol, nor can free lateral flow (rapid) tests be collected from the usual sites. Mayor Marvin Rees described testing as "one of the most important interventions during the pandemic", and although he did not directly criticise the government for withdrawing the provision, he said that the ease of getting tested "has meant that people can continue working and living their lives, knowing they are less likely to be putting others at risk."
The test sites located at Netham Park, Victoria Rooms Car Park, Temple Street, Brislington Park and Ride and the mobile testing unit at Portway Park and Ride will be deconstructed by teams from the Department of Health and Social Care in the coming weeks, and repairs to the areas will be made so that they are returned to their "original state".
However, people who are in hospital and those at higher risk of serious illness from Covid, alongside people who live or work in closed, high-risk settings, where infection needs to be identified quickly to minimise outbreaks, will still be able to access free testing.
Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Bristol One City thanked the "organisations and staff who have dedicated their time, resources and facilities for people in Bristol to be able to access tests quickly and safely." She also praised those running the Bristol Rapid Test Centre on Wellington Road, saying that it has become "a central hub for the community testing programme over the last 15 months".
Despite the removal of testing, Bristol City Council is still recommending that residents and visitors take Covid-19 precautions. Mayor Marvin Rees said: "I know people will be anxious as we approach 1 April, but I want to remind everyone there are still simple actions we can all take to protect each other; getting vaccinated, regular hand washing, keeping indoor spaces ventilated and staying at home if you’re unwell.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "The last day to book a PCR test in Bristol [was] Wednesday 30 March. After this date, the sites will close and a team working for the Department of Health and Social Care will dismantle the structures and make any necessary repairs to make sure the sites are returned to their original state. We have been informed that the removal of the structures at Victoria Rooms Car Park will begin 18 April, Temple Street will begin 9 May, Brislington Park and Ride will begin 6 June and Netham Park will begin 25 July.
"We are grateful that our local communities have welcomed the testing sites in their areas and have been accepting and forgiving of any inconvenience that the site operations may have caused. We will continue to keep local residents informed throughout the decommissioning process. We would also like to extend our thanks to staff and volunteers, whose hard work and dedication have been essential in the delivery of the testing programme in Bristol.
"While testing for the general public will come to an end soon, there are still many simple actions we can all take to protect each other. These include; getting vaccinated, good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering in busy and enclosed areas, such as inside shops and on public transport, and staying at home if you're unwell."
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