Two new COVID testing sites for South Bristol

Main image: One of the new mobile testing sites at Hengrove Leisure Park. Picture Lewis Campbell.

Two new drive-through Covid testing sites have opened in Hengrove and Bedminster Down – in a response to high infection rates in the area.

The sites are based at Hengrove Leisure Park and in the Computershare car park on Bridgwater Road – with the council saying and they are to “make coronavirus testing more accessible for citizens in south Bristol”.

Bristol’s rate of 197 new cases per 100,000 population in the last seven days is much lower than the previous seven days but still above the national average. You can view Bristol City Council’s bi-weekly report on its website.

Bishopsworth has been an area with one of the highest rates of coronavirus cases during November, with Hengrove and Knowle West also among the top 12 areas in Bristol.

This week Bristol, along with North Somerset and South Gloucestershire was placed in Tier 3 of the new restrictions (very high) from 2 December. This status will be reviewed on 16 December.

These new sites are in addition to two other mobile testing units – at Brislington Park and Ride which opened last month and  Portway Park and Ride in Shirehampton.

There are also two local testing sites at Netham Park in Redfield and at the rear of Victoria Rooms in Clifton.

Testing is by an appointment-only basis, with most people receiving their test result the next day – although it can take up to three days.

The new Hengrove and Bedminster Down mobile testing sites will be open every day from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

If you have any of the coronavirus symptoms, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you must book a test via nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.
 
If you do not have a vehicle and unable to get to a testing site, you can order a home test on the same website.