Coronavirus in Fife: Two new testing centres open to public

The first, based at the Benarty Centre car park in Ballingry, will provide testing for members of the public without COVID-19 symptoms.

Not everyone with COVID-19 has symptoms but they could still be infectious and spreading the virus to others unknowingly. By providing testing for the local population and those in surrounding areas, cases can be identified and the spread of the virus reduced.

Members of the public will be able to access community testing on a drop-in basis without the need for an appointment.

The Ballingry site will also provide confidential support to assist anyone who tests positive and needs to self-isolate, and will be open 9am to 3.30pm, seven days a week.

The second new testing site will be based in Newport-on-Tay at the Waterstone Crook Sports Centre car park.

This combined testing site will provide testing both for members of the public with COVID-19 symptoms and also for those without symptoms.

This combined mobile testing unit, provided by National Services Scotland and staffed by the Scottish Ambulance Service, will open from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Josie Murray, NHS Fife Consultant in Public Health and Health Protection Clinical Lead, said: “Testing continues to be a really important part of our response to COVID, alongside the vaccination programme.

“We are using the most up-to-date data to determine, firstly, where there is a testing need and, secondly, which kind of testing provides the most benefit to particular communities. That might be local access to symptomatic testing, asymptomatic testing or a combination of both.

“We are encouraging those who do not currently have symptoms to get tested at these new sites. A number of other testing sites for people without symptoms are already open across Fife.

“Through the identification of positive cases and having people self-isolate if they do have the virus, we can reduce the spread and protect our loved ones, friends and the wider community.”

Sites will be open on a time-limited basis. Safe and secure, sites follow strict hygiene measures, with staff providing support throughout the testing process.

Further information is available at www.nhsfife.org/communitytesting