This Friday, 15th January, Paulton will see the return of a drive-through covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit, running at Paulton Rovers Football Club. It’s hoped that the testing unit could be based on the site for as long as 3 months, but MTU’s are only deployed on a weekly basis by the DHSC.

The MTU will be in addition to the unit based at Odd Down P&R and the walk-in Local Testing Site at Carpenter House in Bath. It is hoped that this unit will help bring additional testing capacity to the rural parts of B&NES and Somer Valley where rates are high.

Grant Johnson, who is the local Labour Councillor for Paulton, was pleased to see the units return. He said “It’s great to hear that Paulton Rovers will once again become a drive-through testing centre, serving the residents of North East Somerset. Testing is a key part of the fight against covid-19 and I know many in the Somer Valley will be relieved to have something closer to home.”

Although the increase in testing capacity was welcomed by the Councillor, he was also concerned at the recent rise in cases. He continued, “We know there are a select few in our community that seek to undermine the importance of the ‘Hands, Face, Space’ measures, but residents need to remain steadfast as we enter the worst of the pandemic. Cases are on the rise all across B&NES, and we can no longer use our rural location as a comfort blanket. However, with the vaccine being rolled out there is some light at the end of the tunnel, and I urge everyone to do all they can to protect themselves, their loved ones and each other.”

The MTU will operate each day from 10am-3pm. It has capacity to provide up to 400 tests per day, although experience of MTUs operating across the South West suggests that between 30 and 100 people are tested per day on average.

You can only get a free NHS test if at least one of the following applies:

you have a high temperature

you have a new, continuous cough

you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

you’re taking part in a government pilot project

you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result

You can book a test for yourself or for someone you live with if one of the points above applies to them.

The MTU is only available for people who can arrive at the site in a private vehicle and who book appointments through a national online portal. Appointments can be made through: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

People without internet access can dial 119.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “With the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases this is welcome news for people living in and around Paulton and I want to say a big thank you to the club for making their site available for the unit. If anyone is concerned that they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus I would strongly urge them to book themselves in for a test.

“Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is eligible for the test. It involves taking a swab of the inside of the nose and the back of the throat, using a long cotton bud.”

If you’re getting a test because you have symptoms, you and anyone you live with must self-isolate until you get your result. This also applies to anyone in your support bubble. There is more guidance on what this involves on the government’s website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance