Around one in three people who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading the disease without knowing it.
To help find more of these cases, so people can isolate and break the chain of transmission, Milton Keynes Council is offering free rapid COVID-19 tests to MK residents.
From Monday (22 March), local people can collect up to 14 free rapid tests (called lateral flow tests) from Central MK Library, currently being used as a test centre, to use at home. There’s no need to book, register or even show ID to pick up your tests.
The council is making the whole process as contact free as possible; just turn up and ask a member of staff for the tests. Staff will be positioned at the main entrance during opening hours to take requests.
Parking is free at the front of the building for people briefly stopping to collect or take a test.
Central MK Library test centre is also the place to go if you are leaving home to work, or if you act as an informal carer for family, friends or neighbours. Workers and carers can receive a free on-site test overseen by an experienced guide. There’s no need to book and the results will be sent to you within around 45 minutes.
The test centre is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and on Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 7pm.
No-one with symptoms can be tested at this site. Instead, anyone with one or more of these symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.