Covid testing sites across Kent are winding down as free home-test kits become available
As the battle against Covid continues, residents are now able to pick up free testing kits from pharmacies across Kent or by ordering them online for use at home.
But as a result, Kent County Council is closing a number of its symptom-free Covid 19 testing sites across the county.
The authority is keeping one testing site open in each borough, for those who feel they can't manage to self-test.
The testing sites were initially set up for a six-week period in December and January, but the programme has now been operating for more than 16 weeks, has tested 550,000 people and has identified 2,821 positive cases.
The most recent Government advice is that everyone in England should now take a symptom-free test twice a week.
Most pharmacies are now distributing lateral flow tests. To check for one near you, click here.
Andrew Scott-Clark, the director of public health for Kent, said: "I am delighted that there are now more ways that residents in Kent can access testing kits."
He said: "The fact that people now have other options will hopefully increase the levels of testing even more and continue to identify anyone who is carrying the virus without knowing it.
"COVID-19 has not gone away. People are still being infected and any complacency now could jeopardise our route out of lockdown.
"We must keep up the pace and twice-weekly testing for everyone, including those who have been COVID-19 vaccinated, will give us an accurate picture of virus rates in communities and play a huge part in helping us to continue to drive down the number of infections and therefore save lives.”
Mr Scott-Clarke said: "I want testing to become part of everyone’s routine.
"The tests are so simple to do and give rapid results."
He said: "We all brush our teeth at least twice a day – so a quick test twice a week should be simple."
Residents can still visit a symptom-free test sites, but will need to book online here.
Here is a list of sites by borough or district:
ASHFORD
The site at Ashford North Youth Centre in Mabledon Avenue will close on April 28.
The Eurogate Business Park Centre site will remain open until the end of May.
CANTERBURY
The Herne testing site will close on April 26.
The centre at the Sidney Cooper Gallery in St Peter’s Street, will remain open until the end of May.
DARTFORD
The site at the Swanscombe Centre in Craylands Lane, will remain open until the end of May.
DOVER
The testing site at the Discovery Centre in Dover will close on April 30 April.
The centre at The Guildhall in Sandwich, will remain open until the end of May.
FOLKESTONE & HYTHE
The Folkestone Library site will close on April 30.
The site at the Hawkinge Community Centre, Heron Forstal Avenue, will remain open until the end of May.
GRAVESHAM
The testing centres at the Conservative Club and at the Northfleet Youth Club will close on April 30.
KCC is looking to open an alternative site on May 3, but is yet to announce where.
MAIDSTONE
The testing centre at Sessions House in County Road, will remain open until the end of May.
SEVENOAKS
The centre at Swanley Youth Club will close on April 27.
The Bat and Ball testing centre in Cramptons Road, will remain open till the end of May
SWALE
The testing centre at the Sheerness East Working Men's Club in Halfway, will remain open until the end of May.
THANET
The Ramsgate Port Terminal site centre closed on Sunday.
Residents can use centres at Birchington and Sandwich as alternatives.
TONBRIDGE & MALLING
The testing centre at Larkfield Library will close on April 30.
The testing centre at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood, will remain open until the end of May.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The centre at the Assembly Halls is now closed.
There is now a testing site at the nearby Camden Centre in Victoria Place.
The site at Cranbrook’s Vestry Hall will close on April 29.
All testing sites will be closed on the public holidays of May 3 and 31, but will open between 9am and 7pm on all other days.
To order a self-testing kit online, click here or phone 119.