Two new coronavirus community testing sites open in Fife

Two new community coronavirus testing sites have opened in Fife.

They are based at the Benarty Centre car park in Ballingry and at the Waterstone Crooks Sports Centre car park in Newport-on-Tay.

The Ballingry site is for locals and those in surrounding areas without Covid-19 symptoms.

No appointment is needed and members of the public can access community testing on a drop-in basis.

Confidential support will be provided to help anyone who tests positive for the virus and needs to self-isolate.

The site will be open between 9am and 3.30pm, seven days a week.

Meanwhile, the Newport-on-Tay site is a combined testing one for both those with symptoms of coronavirus and for those who are symptomless.

It is open between 10am and 6pm, seven days a week.

An appointment is needed and that can be booked either on the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 028 2816.

A member of the public making a booking should indicate that they are taking part in a pilot project and select "taking part in community testing".

The unit is being provided by National Services Scotland and staffed by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Josie Murray, NHS Fife Consultant in Public Health and Health Protection, said: "Testing continues to be a really important part of our response to coronavirus, alongside the vaccination programme.

"We are using the most up-to-date data to determine, firstly, where there is a testing need and, secondly, which kind of testing provides the most benefit to particular communities.

"That might be local access to symptomatic testing, asymptomatic testing or a combination of both.

"We are encouraging those who do not currently have symptoms to get tested at these new sites.

"A number of other testing sites for people without symptoms are already open across Fife.

"Through the identification of positive cases and having people self-isolate if they do have the virus, we can reduce the spread and protect our loved ones, friends and the wider community."

Both sites are open on a time-limited basis.