THE Covid testing site at The Anvil in Basingstoke is already listed as ‘closed’ on the NHS website, raising questions over where people can now pick up home testing kits in the town.

As previously reported, The Department for Health and Social Care confirmed that the site will close from Tuesday, April 6.

However, The Anvil is now listed as ‘closed’ on the NHS website to search for somewhere to pick up lateral flow tests to use at home.

No alternative is given for Basingstoke.

It is understood that a mobile testing unit is set to replace the site at The Anvil, but no details have been released.

The closure comes as households of nurseries, schools and colleges are urged to continue self-testing at home for Covid during the holidays.

Under current guidance those who live with a child or member of staff at nursery, school or college is asked to use a lateral flow test at home twice a week and report the results.

With the Easter holidays having just begun, Hampshire County Council’s director of public health, Simon Bryant, is urging those eligible for regular testing to continue this during the two-week break.

He said: “With people now allowed to gather outdoors in groups of up to six or in two households, many of us are looking forward to reuniting with family and friends over the Easter weekend.

“The cautious relaxing of socialising rules has given us all a reason to feel optimistic as we head into the school holidays.

“But we know around one in three people with coronavirus don’t have any symptoms, so it’s crucial that we continue to do everything we can to minimise our risk of exposure so we can all mix and celebrate safely.

“That includes following hands, face, space guidance, letting in plenty of fresh air into our homes and continuing to test at home twice a week for anyone going out to work, as well as households or bubbles of educational staff and children at nursery, school or college.

“This is particularly important if you are meeting up with elderly relatives or someone who has been shielding.”

Testing those without symptoms helps identify positive Covid cases quickly, allowing people to self-isolate and prevent the virus from spreading.

Mr Bryant added: “I urge everyone who is eligible to continue taking advantage of free, rapid and regular testing, for peace of mind that you and your loved ones are protected.”

Educational staff, parents, secondary pupils and college students should continue testing at home twice a week throughout the Easter holidays, and into the summer term, and report results as positive, negative or void.

Tests for eligible households will need to be done before returning to school or college for the summer term, either the night before, or morning of, the first day back, to find and isolate any positive cases.

The Gazette has asked Hampshire County Council and The Department for Health and Social Care where residents in need of tests this weekend can pick them up. 

The asymptomatic testing site is still open at South Ham Library for those wanting to drop-in for a Covid test without symptoms. 

Further details here https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/coronavirus/test-and-trace/testing-no-symptoms. 

*The Department for Health and Social Care has now responded to say The Anvil is still open as a testing site. It did not say why it is listed as closed on the NHS website, or provide details of where a mobile testing unit will be located.