WIREDGOV

A number of Welsh university towns and cities are set to benefit from new walk-through Local Testing Sites (LTS).

In September the first LTS opened in Pontypridd near the University of South Wales.

Each of the new Local Testing Sites will provide access to testing for both the students and the local populations.

The Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething and Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams yesterday confirmed more Local Testing Sites will open this month in Swansea, Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth.

These sites are part of a Welsh Government agreement with the UK Government to create Local Testing Sites (LTS) in Wales and increase testing capacity.  The LTS is a walk-through site and tests can be booked in the normal way by calling 119 or online at gov.wales

Testing will only be available for those with coronavirus symptoms:

• a high temperature or
• a new continuous cough or
• a loss or change to sense of smell or taste

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, yesterday said:

It’s important that anyone who is showing symptoms of coronavirus get tested to ensure we stop the spread of the virus. The new Local Testing Sites will be across Wales and will play a key role in our NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect programme.

The Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, yesterday said:

As university students return to cities and towns across Wales we want to ensure robust testing is in place for both students and local residents. I am pleased that the Local Testing Sites will provide additional reassurance to those returning or starting university.