THE A338 slip road car park in Fordingbridge will be the location for a coronavirus mobile testing site this month.

The New Forest District Council car park site in the town will offer an appointment only service.

Councillor Edward Heron, the district council's cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said: “We have been working with Hampshire County Council and the Department of Health and Social Care to identify sites in the district that can accommodate testing sites.

"This is particularly important so our residents in more rural areas, who may not have ready access to public transport, are able to quickly and safely access testing without the need to travel great distances.”

Previously the nearest testing site was at the Furlong car park in Ringwood.

During the current national lockdown, residents are reminded that they should only leave home for essential reasons, which includes getting a Covid test if they are displaying symptoms, however mild.

Appointments can be booked online or by calling 119.

Testing is free and involves a swab of the nose and back of the throat, and takes less than a minute to complete.

For more information about test and trace go to Hampshire County Council's website.

The car park will be closed for the three days it is a testing site on February 19 to 21.

Alternative parking will be available at Fordingbridge Town Centre Car Park.

 

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