Home testing kits available from libraries and pharmacies across Suffolk

They're free and part of the continued fight against coronavirus.

Author: Lauren WattPublished 16th Apr 2021

From Monday free lateral flow tests can be picked up from any library across the county as part of the continued fight against coronavirus.

130 NHS pharmacies across Suffolk are also taking part in the Pharmacy Collect scheme, where people can collect kits free of charge.

Following the latest easing of restrictions across England bosses in Suffolk are being asked to sign up to the Yes2Test scheme which asks them to commit to testing their workforces.

Stuart Keeble, director of public health for Suffolk, said:

"I urge the public to play their part in the fight against COVID-19 by testing regularly and these schemes will help them to do so.

"We want to make testing as easy and accessible to the community as possible, which is why we are making LFD kits available in libraries and particularly so in those areas that previously had a testing centre.

"Pharmacy Collect is another way of making it easy to test - pharmacies, like libraries, are at the heart of our communities.

"Testing and isolating following a positive result, along with vaccinations, and following the current guidance, is how we will get through this pandemic and we want to make getting a test as easy as picking up a prescription or borrowing a book."

Due to an increase in workplace testing, testing sites in Brandon, Debenham, Elmswell, Eye, Hadleigh, Halesworth, Holbrook, Nayland, Needham Market and Saxmundham will be closed after today (16/4)

There will also be changes to other testing sites in the area so please check before you travel.

Centres remaining open seven days a week but with reduced opening hours from 7am to 2pm are:

Bury St Edmunds - STEM Centre, West Suffolk College, Western Way, IP33 3TB

Ipswich - Former Profiles gym, University of Suffolk, 4 University Avenue, IP3 0SF

Lowestoft - Kirkley & Pakefield FC, Walmer Rd, NR33 7LE

The following sites will open between 7am-2pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 12pm-7pm on Tuesday, and be closed on Wednesday and Sunday:

Haverhill - Haverhill Arts Centre, High Street, CB9 8AR

Ipswich - Whitton sports centre, Whitton Church Lane, IP1 6LW

Martlesham - Community Hall, Felixstowe Rd, IP12 4PB

Mildenhall - The Pavilion, Recreation Way, IP28 7HG

Newmarket - Unit 16, Guineas shopping centre, CB8 8EQ

Stowmarket - Museum of East Anglian Life, off Iliffe Way, IP14 1SL

Sudbury - Stevenson Centre, Stevenson Approach, Great Cornard, CO10 0WD

Sites in Felixstowe and Lowestoft will open between 8am and 3pm Monday, Thursday, Friday and 8.30am - 3.30pm on Saturday, 12 - 7pm on Tuesday and be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Felixstowe - Felixstowe Sports Centre, 75 Undercliff Road West, IP11 2AE

Lowestoft - Waterlane Leisure Centre, Water Lane, NR32 2NH

Sites in Beccles and Framlingham operate as follows:

Beccles - Blyburgate Hall, Blyburgate, NR34 9TA. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday between 7am-1.30pm, Thursday 12.30pm-7pm. Saturday & Sunday - closed

Framlingham - Fire Station, B1119 Saxmundham Road, IP13 9DB. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7am-11.30pm, Thursday 3pm-7pm. Saturday & Sunday - closed.

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