The locations where East Lothian residents with no symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested over the next week have been confirmed.
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 in North Berwick, Port Seton, Tranent, Haddington, Dunbar or Whitecraig; ordering home delivery of a testing kit online or collecting a testing kit from a community pharmacy.
Testing can help society move to an even less restrictive way of life. With it being possible to have the virus without showing symptoms, 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.
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:
Saturday, 10 July; Sunday, 11 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Loch Centre, Tranent
Monday, 12 July
- North Berwick Community Centre
- Port Seton Centre
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington
Tuesday, 13 July; Wednesday, 14 July
- Dunbar Leisure Pool
- Mercat Bar & Grill, Whitecraig
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington
Thursday, 15 July
- North Berwick Community Centre
- Mercat Bar & Grill, Whitecraig
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington
Friday, 16 July
- North Berwick Community Centre
- Port Seton Centre
- Loch Centre, Tranent
- John Muir House, Haddington
Saturday, 17 July; Sunday, 18 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.