Home testing kits for people with no symptoms of COVID-19 are now available for collection from East Lothian Council’s test centre in Musselburgh.
With cases of the virus continuing to be reported, a schedule for the deployment of mobile test units over the next week has also been confirmed.
Almost 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing the virus on to others. While good progress is being made with the rollout of the vaccination programme and evidence suggests this is reducing the harm caused, the virus does still present a risk to public health.
That's why local arrangements are in place for people without symptoms to get tested. Testing can help society move to an even less restrictive way of life. It means local residents can find out if they are positive - even if they’ve received vaccination - and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus, by self-isolating.
Options include visiting the testing centre in Musselburgh where people can get tested or collect a kit to take home, attend at a mobile testing unit (see further details of both below), ordering home delivery of a testing kit online or collecting a testing kit from a community pharmacy.
Test centre in Musselburgh
The test centre, within the former Stoneyhill Community Centre, is open 11am-6pm (Tuesday to Saturday). The address is: 5 Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RN.
Getting tested is quick and easy. No appointment is required and people can get tested more than once. The facility is open to everyone from East Lothian as long as they don't have symptoms - a fever, cough, or loss or change of smell. You can also visit the facility to collect a test kit to take home.
Mobile testing units
It's also possible, even if people have no symptoms, to get tested at one of the mobile testing units currently being deployed around East Lothian. The current schedule is below. Times of operation are 10am to 6pm unless otherwise stated:
Friday, 25 June
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Port Seton Centre
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington
Saturday, 26 June; Sunday, 27 June
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
Monday, 28 June
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- Port Seton Centre
- John Muir House, Haddington
Tuesday, 29 June; Wednesday, 30 June; Thursday, 1 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- The Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
- John Muir House, Haddington
Friday, 2 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- Port Seton Centre
- John Muir House, Haddington
Saturday, 3 July; Sunday, 4 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
Walk-in appointments are available. While appointments are not needed they are preferable as this will save time. Bookings can be made from 6pm on the day prior to when you get tested online at: get a free test online or by phone: 0300 303 2713. When asked why you are booking a test, select: ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’.
Home delivery of rapid lateral flow test kits
Another option if a person has no symptoms is get home test kits delivered to your home. Order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests online
Pick up a test kit from a local pharmacy
A number of pharmacies in East Lothian have stocks of rapid lateral flow test kits, which are suitable for home testing if you have no symptoms. You can check your nearest collection point online.
Testing for people with symptoms
Anyone with symptoms should make an appointment through the NHS Inform website or telephone: 0300 303 2713 (open 7am-11pm). They will be advised where to attend for a test.