New COVID-19 testing centre announced for Chester

A new COVID-19 testing centre for people without symptoms is set to open in the heart of Chester city centre.

Chester Cathedral will be home to Cheshire West and Chester Council’s third asymptomatic testing centre in the borough.

The centres offer twice weekly testing for people who cannot work from home or people who care for family and friends, as well as people who share a household or bubble with a school pupil or someone who works at a school.

One in three people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms so asymptomatic tests help to identify positive cases and prevent people from spreading the virus unknowingly.

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “I am really pleased that we are able to work with Chester Cathedral to provide an asymptomatic testing centre at the heart of the city.

“This will be an essential support for staff in the retail and hospitality sector as restrictions ease in the coming months.

“It is a fabulous example of the community and Council working in partnership, all of us playing our parts in the fight against this dreadful virus.”

The Dean, Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, from Chester Cathedral, said: “We are very proud that Chester Cathedral can serve its local community in this way during the pandemic.

“Opening this building to the NHS, Council staff and local people to help stop the spread of a deadly disease is a return to our core purpose and values.

“The cathedral is a significant building in the heart of the city centre with good street level access into the South Transept where testing will take place.

“We hope that its use as an asymptomatic testing centre will strengthen the message about how important it is to stop COVID-19 spreading.”

Other COVID-19 testing centres for people without symptoms are located at Stanney Oaks Leisure Centre, in Ellesmere Port, and Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

These two centres have provided more than 25,000 tests since the first site opened in December.

They are open between 9am and 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. No appointment is necessary.

Further details about the opening and operational times of the Chester Cathedral asymptomatic testing centre will be announced in due course.

Anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms, which include a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, should self-isolate immediately and call: 119 or visit: nhs.uk/coronavirus to book a test.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 everyone is reminded to stay at home as much as possible, wash their hands or use hand sanitiser regularly, cover their face in enclosed spaces and maintain social distancing by keeping two metres away from people they do not live with.

For more information on COVID-19 tests visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus and click on COVID-19 testing.