Rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing will be available from Friday for people in East Ayrshire without symptoms.

Residents who live in East Ayrshire and don’t have any of the three COVID symptoms (a new continuous cough, temperature, loss or change in sense of taste or smell) are encouraged to get tested.

There is no need to book, and testing will be available for a two week period, seven days a week, from Friday, February 26, at Hurlford Community Centre on Cessnock Road, from 10am-6pm.

The community testing initiative, in partnership with the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, The Army and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service aims to drive down local COVID-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly, as people can spread the virus to others before symptoms appear.

Lateral flow devices (LFD) will be used at the centre which can give people their results in around 45 minutes. Any positive cases will then be confirmed by PCR test. Those who receive a positive LFD or PCR test result will be asked to self-isolate.

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “We really hope that people will recognise the benefits of getting tested to reduce the spread of the virus to their family, friends and community, particularly as we are still under lockdown, and as we continue through the difficult winter months.

"There are so many of us who could be carrying the virus without even realising it.

“The more people who get tested, the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love and miss.

"Anyone who takes the test will be helping to stop the silent spread of this virus, break the chain of infection and save lives.”

University of the West of Scotland has been helping to set up the asymptomatic test centres across Ayrshire including providing access for training to the UWS Ayr Campus test centre, and producing the information materials and displays for the centres.

Dr Lucy Meredith, provost and deputy vice-Chancellor at UWS, said: “We are delighted to support NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the Ayrshire councils in their COVID-19 testing activities.

"At UWS, we are committed to supporting our local communities and wider society.

"It is more important now than ever for us to work together with our partner organisations as we collectively try to overcome the pandemic.”

More information and FAQs are available here

This site is only for people without symptoms. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should book a test in the usual way via https://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.