New Covid testing site to open in Paisley Centre

A new COVID-19 testing site for people without symptoms of the virus is opening tomorrow in the centre of Paisley.

The testing site will be open in the Paisley Centre from Tuesday 14 September and aims to help bring down current high rates of the virus by finding people who don’t know they have it.

The facility will use lateral flow tests – which return results via text message within 45 minutes – and anyone can drop in to collect a pack of tests for use at home.

The test centre will be open to everyone, including students arriving in town for the new academic term.

It be open from 10am to 4.30pm each day until Saturday 25 September – apart from Sunday 19th, when it will be closed. The test site will be in Unit 3 of the centre, which can be reached via the High Street entrance.

It is being run by Renfrewshire Council as part of the national rollout of community testing and follows other temporary COVID-19 test sites across the area in recent months.

Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “We still have very high rates of COVID-19 locally and we know one in three people with the virus do not show any symptoms – so regular testing is really important to stop the spread and protect the people around you.

“Anyone living, working or studying locally is welcome to come in to either get a test, or to pick up a pack of lateral flow tests to take home with them.”

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms (new persistent cough, high temperature, loss of taste/smell) should book a PCR test at an NHS-run centre instead – the nearest ones are at Bridge Street in Paisley town centre (walk-through site) and at Glasgow Airport (drive-through only).

Anyone who tests positive will be required to get a follow-up PCR test at an NHS site to confirm their result, and to self-isolate while they wait on the result of that.

Financial support is available – you may be eligible for a Self-Isolation Support Grant and can apply for this through the council.

More information is at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing-centres and more advice on testing and self-isolation is at www.nhsinform.scot