Covid-19 home testing kits are now available from the Bunyan Centre in Bedford

Residents can now collect Covid-19 home testing kits from the John Bunyan Centre in Bedford.

Twice weekly Covid-19 testing is being used in schools and colleges, to help keep pupils, staff, and families safe and slow the spread of the virus.

Adult household members of school and college-aged pupils, including those in childcare and support bubbles can now collect home testing kits from the rapid testing centre at John Bunyan Sports and Fitness Centre on Mile Road.

Secondary and college-age students will continue to receive testing kits from their school or college.

The centre is open from 7am to noon and 1pm till 7pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) and there is no need to book or order a test - you can just drop in.

Those collecting home kits are encouraged to have a supervised test at the centre so they can get expert advice on taking a swab and processing the sample.

Rapid ‘no symptom’ testing is available at the John Bunyan Sports and Fitness Centre for anyone who lives or works in Bedford Borough who is unable to work from home and cannot access testing through their employer. There is no need to book.

Twice weekly testing is recommended for everyone who cannot work from home and regularly comes into contact with people as part of their job - for example retail staff, childminders, bus and taxi drivers, construction workers and tradespeople who work in other people’s homes.

Cllr Louise Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said: “Rapid testing is helping to pick up cases in people who are not showing symptoms, slowing the spread of Covid-19, and keeping our communities safe.

“Up to one in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms.

"Please make sure you’re testing twice a week if you attend school or college, either as a student or staff member, or if you have any job that means you cannot work from home.

"These tests are completely free and you can just turn up at the centre to collect them - there is no need to book.”

The latest information and coronavirus guidelines are available on the Bedford Borough Council website.