One of Basingstoke's Covid testing sites will close tomorrow.

South Ham library has been administering lateral flow tests for residents unable to work from home since February.

But now, Hampshire County Council has announced that it, alongside the county's other community testing sites, will close down on Friday (April 30).

It comes as more than 200 pharmacies across the county replace them in handing out at-home testing kits, whilst 40 of them will also be able to offer appointments for supervised asymptomatic tests.

Additionally, the county's symptomatic testing sites will be handing out at-home test kits in the afternoons.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “Over 25,000 tests were completed during the first eight weeks of the community testing scheme in Hampshire, enabling us to provide rapid testing without symptoms when it was most needed.

"Following the roll-out of the pharmacy test and collect scheme across the county from 26 April, the community testing sites will be closing from Friday 30 April.

"Over 200 pharmacies in Hampshire are now providing test kits for people to collect and use twice a week at home, and around 40 of these pharmacies are also offering appointments for supervised asymptomatic lateral flow testing on-site.

"Pharmacies offer a quick, convenient and accessible means of regular testing without symptoms, helping us to extend our offer to more people, in more locations.

"We encourage all residents to take up this testing offer and remember to report their results. Making test-record-repeat a part of your weekly routine helps identify positive cases, break chains of transmission and protect our communities."

The move from community testing sites to at-home self-test kits will affect community testing sites at Basingstoke's South Ham library - which only closed as a library in December after HCC cuts - Andover's Picket Twenty Sports Ground and Fleet's Hart District Council offices.

The Gazette previously reported how a symptomatic testing site at the Anvil closed earlier this month.

It was replaced by a site at Churchill Way long stay car park.

How can I get a test?

If you do not have any Covid symptoms, you are able to get tested via a rapid, lateral flow test twice a week.

There are a couple of options on how you can do this.

  • At home: Collect a box of self-administered lateral flow tests from over 200 pharmacies in Hampshire. You can also get these delivered or collect them from a symptomatic testing site in the afternoon.
  • In a pharmacy: 40 pharmacies across the county will be offering appointments for supervised, asymptomatic testing.

What if I test positive?

If you test positive in a lateral flow test, you must immediately self-isolate. You should also book a follow-up PCR test as soon as possible.

What if I have Covid symptoms?

The three Covid symptoms are a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of smell or taste.

If you have any of these, you should book a PCR test at a symptomatic testing site.