ALL those who cannot work from home are being encouraged to access lateral flow self-test kits as they are rolled out across Wales.

From April 16, people who can’t work from home and their households can collect tests from the following local testing sites:

  • Bangor, Dean Street Car Park;
  • Rhyl, Quay Street Carpark;
  • Wrexham, Memorial Hall or
  • Connah’s Quay, Civic Hall.

The testing kits are for people who are not displaying symptoms of the virus.

They are easy to use and can give results in 30 minutes. It is hoped that improving their availability will make regular asymptomatic testing for coronavirus more convenient and accessible for people not covered under existing schemes at workplaces, childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities.

A spokesperson from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUB) said: "As many as one in three people may have Covid-19 without displaying symptoms which means asymptomatic testing is an important means to keep people safe as restrictions are gradually eased.

"It’s important that even those who’ve had the vaccine take use the tests twice a week as they could still carry the virus and pass it on to others."

People can collect the rapid tests from above sites seven days a week between 8am and 1pm. No appointment is needed.

Sites will close for a deep clean and re-open for symptomatic PCR testing between 2pm and 8pm each day.

The tests need to be used from home. See full details and watch a video at bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/lateral-flow-self-test-kits

The Welsh Government is also looking at other collection venues for test kits as well as how they can be delivered to people’s homes.

Each person will routinely be able to collect two packs of seven LFD self-test kits for home use. It is recommended that tests are undertaken twice a week with the results recorded on the UK Government portal. 

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: "It is important that testing is made as convenient and accessible as possible. We are especially keen for self-test kits to be used by people who cannot work from home so they can undertake regular testing. This will help to keep them and their families safe.

"We know that up to one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms at all and can therefore spread it unknowingly.

"As we continue to ease restrictions, the routine testing of asymptomatic people will be imperative in our battle against the virus."