There are now three local walk-through coronavirus testing centres in Ealing, with the latest opening at Gurnell Leisure Centre, making it easier for local people to get a test for COVID-19.

The new test centre follows the opening of Michael Flanders Centre, in Acton and Featherstone Terrace Car Park, in Southall. These sites are open between 8am-8pm every day and residents should book a test before attending.

Residents must book a test before attending any testing centre by ringing 119 or visiting the NHS website. It is not possible to book a test by contacting the testing centre.

The three walk-through centres are as follows:

• Featherstone Terrace car park, Southall – 8am – 8pm
• Michael Flanders Centre, Acton – 8am – 8pm
• Gurnell Leisure centre – 8am – 8pm

Residents who want to attend a centre by car, can do so by booking a test at Ealing’s mobile testing unit, which is also available at Gurnell Leisure Centre, but is only open once every three days, 10.30am-3.30pm.

Anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms (fever, cough, loss/change in taste or smell), however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests are easier than ever to get, residents can either.

• Book a test at a testing centre accessible by car at Gurnell MTU
• Order a test to take at home
• Book a test at the new pedestrian centres at Featherstone Terrace, Michael Flanders Centre, and Gurnell Leisure Centre
• Residents can book or order a test at home, by appointment at the NHS website or by calling 119, and can expect results in 24-48 hours.

Residents who have COVID-19 symptoms should be isolating at home. The only reason to leave the house will be to attend the testing site – they must walk or cycle to the site, wearing a face covering and must not use public transport or a taxi. They must also practise other public health measures, such as hand hygiene and social distancing.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely. Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Anyone testing positive for the virus must continue to isolate together with their household. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, advising them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

Everyone with symptoms can book or order a test at the NHS website. Essential workers and members of their households can access priority testing at the GOV.UK website

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted). Those being tested may experience some mild discomfort but it should not hurt.

Testing and tracing are central to the government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. To stop the spread of the virus, everyone will need to play their part by isolating if symptomatic, booking a test as soon as possible, and if asked to do so, identifying their close contacts.