Police station to offer Covid-19 testing kits to people in Newcastle

A police station is the latest site to support the fight against Coronavirus after it opened its gates for the public to collect home testing kits.

Northumbria Police have today (Tuesday) revealed they are supplying lateral flow testing kits from a base at Etal Lane Police Station once a week.

The station in the Newbiggin Hall area of Newcastle has been approved by Newcastle City Council and Public Health England to supply the home kits.

The public will be free to visit the station’s car park between 2-5pm every Wednesday to collect them from the mobile Community Engagement van.

Volunteers and members of the neighbourhood policing team will be on hand to supply the kits.

They must be taken and disposed of at home but take just 30 minutes to tell you whether or not you have contracted Covid-19.

Superintendent Steve Wykes, of Northumbria Police, said the Force is proud to be able to support the public health efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

He said:

“Public health officials have been clear that home testing kits will go a long way to support our efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“This form of testing has already been accessed by members of the public through local authority led community sites across our region.

“But it is important that the testing kits are accessible as possible so we are delighted to open our doors to residents in our area.

“We have been blown away by the togetherness shown by our local community in doing what they can to support and protect one another from Covid-19.

“It is important that we continue with our efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and we are proud to be a part of the recovery effort.”

Professor Eugene Milne, Director of Public Health at Newcastle City Council, said:

“Testing will remain a key tool as we continue to battle Covid-19, and Lateral Flow Device tests, such as those available to collect from Etal Lane Police Station, are integral to this.

“As many as 1 in 3 people with the virus display none of the visible symptoms of Covid-19, but could still potentially transmit it to others.

“This kind of testing helps to identify those individuals and break the chain of transmission and I would encourage people to test regularly to reduce the chance of unknowingly spreading the virus.

“It is important to remember that these tests should only be used by people without symptoms, and even if you return a negative result you should continue to follow the restrictions and maintain the Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air guidance at all times.

“If you do have a temperature, a new or continuous cough, or a loss or change to your senses of taste or smell, you should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test from www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.”

There is no requirement to register to collect a test and members of the public are free to attend the station between 2-5pm every Wednesday.

Anyone picking up kits must wear a mask at all times unless exempt, should respect social distancing rules and stand behind the marked out lines until called.