Army to run mobile coronavirus testing unit in Oldham town centre

The unit will be in place in the borough from Sunday, May 31 until Tuesday, June 2.

A mobile coronavirus testing unit manned by the army will be coming to Oldham for three days.

The unit will be in place in the borough from Sunday, May 31 until Tuesday, June 2.

Based at the Old Leisure Centre car park, on Rock Street in Oldham town centre, it will offer free testing to see if residents aged five and over have the virus.

However bosses say that testing will be by pre-booked appointment only.

People coming for their test can arrive either by car or on foot but are advised to follow the national social distancing guidelines and stay two metres apart at all times.

The tests will only be able to tell people if they currently have COVID-19, and not if they have been infected in the past.

The common symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

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Booking for test slots is only available from the evening on Saturday, May 30, and can be made through the national booking website – NHS testing.

Employers of keyworkers can also book tests for their staff through the national employer booking portal.

Employers need to register through e-mail following the guidance on the coronavirus testing guidance site before they can refer their employees.

If residents are not able to access the testing website, they can book a test over the telephone by calling 119.

However if the Oldham site is not listed on the booking portal it means that all the available testing appointments for the day have been filled.

Home testing kits can also be requested via the same website and telephone number.