Symptomatic COVID-19 Mobile Testing Units will be available across South Ayrshire next week

Seven Mobile COVID-19 Testing Units will be situated in Ayr, Ballantrae, Coylton, Girvan, Maybole and Tarbolton next week.

These temporary facilities will allow people who have COVID-19 symptoms to get a free swab test as part of the Government's UK-wide drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for communities. 

Tests must be booked in advance at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.

Mobile test centres provide another way for people without access to cars to book appointments, and to improve accessibility to testing in the heart of communities who need it most.

If you're coming to be tested, you will be required to follow public health measures, including:

• physical distancing;
• not travelling by taxi or public transport;
• practising good personal hygiene;
• wearing a face covering throughout (including travelling to and from the mobile testing sites).

You should only book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).

If you have any of these symptoms you must self-isolate immediately, only leaving home to take a test. You should continue to self-isolate until you have received your result.

The centres will operate as follows:

• Quay Zone Car Park, Knockcushan Street, Girvan - Monday 22 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• John Pollock Centre Car Park, Mainholm Road, Ayr - Tuesday 23 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Tarbolton Community Centre Car Park, Montgomerie Road, Tarbolton - Wednesday 24 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Coylton Activity Centre Car Park, Hole Road, Coylton - Thursday 25 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Ballantrae Shorefront Car Park, Foreland, Ballantrae - Friday 26 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Carrick Academy Car Park, Kirkoswald Road, Maybole - Saturday 27 March - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Queen Margaret Academy Bus Parking Area fronting the school, Dalmellington Road, Ayr - Sunday 28 March -10.00am - 6.00pm

If you're attending a mobile testing centre, you'll be asked to confirm your identity on arrival.

You will then be issued with a test kit and directed to a testing booth, where you will be given guidance to help you do the swab test yourself by taking swabs from both the nose and mouth. 

The swab test takes less than a minute and is relatively pain-free. After safely completing the test, a testing assistant will advise you how to register your test online or by phone, and then how to exit the centre. You should receive your result the next day.

Watch a video explaining the process for walk-through testing.

If you test positive you will be contacted by NHS Scotland tracers. They will let you know how long you and your household should self-isolate for and help you identify who you have been in contact with, protecting others from further transmission. Your close contacts will also hear from contact tracers, 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.

Testing is free, quick and vital to stopping the spread of coronavirus. It's available for all ages and groups, including vulnerable groups and people with disabilities. 

Anyone attending an appointment at a mobile testing centre will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the site safely, including the measures listed above. The approach has been agreed with expert clinical oversight.

Further sites across South Ayrshire are currently being considered as additional mobile testing locations, updates on these will be provided in due course.

Published 18 March 2021.