Derby’s local testing sites are open over the festive period

Published: 22 December 2020

Tests are currently available to all citizens of Derby who have one or more of the main COVID symptoms: a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss / change of sense of smell or taste.

This is no different over Christmas – all of Derby’s local testing sites will be open through the festive period.

Tests are bookable online or by calling 119. There are local testing sites at Morleston Street Day Centre, Austin Sunnyhill Children’s Centre, and West End Community Centre.

There is plenty of capacity available at all our local testing sites. Opening hours are slightly reduced over Christmas, but tests are still available during the following hours:

• 24 December – 08.00am – 8.00pm
• 25 December – 09.00am – 3.00pm
• 26 December – 08.00am – 08.00pm
• 27 December - 08.00am – 08.00pm
• 28 December – 09.00am – 3.00pm
• 29 December - 08.00am – 08.00pm
• 30 December - 08.00am – 08.00pm
• 31 December – 08.00am – 8.00pm
• 1 January – 09.00am – 3.00pm

Unless otherwise indicated, Derby’s local testing sites are open 8.00am – 8.00pm daily.

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 while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 10 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Self-isolation and testing remain some of our best ways of keeping ourselves and others safe against coronavirus. Testing is a quick and painless process – you can read more information on the testing process in our myth buster.

For those who test positive, if you’re on a zero-hours contract, unable to work from home or you’re generally worried about your income due to self-isolating, you may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

Health