*Update, Friday 29 October: We are pleased to confirm that the NHS test site on the Whiteknights campus is now open and available for appointments, which can be booked through the NHS website.*

A new walk-through PCR testing facility will open on Monday in Car Park 11, next to the Pepper Lane entrance at Whiteknights campus. This replaces the facility at the Great Hall at London Road, which has now closed.

The new facility will make it even easier for you to get tested if you have any of the main COVID-19 symptoms.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, can get a free PCR swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests must be booked or ordered, as soon as symptoms begin, by visiting the government website or by calling 119, and you can expect your result the next day. Please do not come to campus for a test without booking an appointment in advance. Postal test kits also continue to be available through the government website.

Remember, this facility is only suitable for those who have symptoms of COVID-19. We continue to encourage all students without symptoms to take lateral flow tests twice a week and you can still collect home testing kits from the Library foyer between 10:00 and 16:00, Monday to Thursday.

Remember that detailed information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, vaccination and support for self-isolation is published on our Essentials webpages.

Health & Safety measures for the new test centre

The site will be operating on an appointment-only basis and will comply with all Public Health England health and safety measures. These measures include:

• Social distancing measures. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face-covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre). Clear directions will be sent to anyone who books a test.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on site. Staff who are required to interact with those being tested will wear PPE. The on-site operational staff do not wear PPE as this is not required. These staff do not come into direct contact with anyone being tested.
• Cleaning regime. There is a strict cleaning regime for the whole site which means that facilities are cleaned multiple times a day to ensure very high standards of hygiene. Waste is removed on a regular basis.
• Designated areas. The testing areas are segregated from all other areas, including our teaching and learning spaces at Whiteknights. All efforts have been made to reduce any impact on our day-to-day campus activities and only operational staff will be in the designated area of the testing site.