TWO mobile coronavirus testing units will be moving to new locations in Powys from this weekend.

The units will be moving to Llandrindod Wells and Llansantffraid from their current positions in Llanidloes and Ystradgynlais from tomorrow (Saturday, January 16).

The appointment-only testing units will be relocated to County Hall, Powys County Council’s headquarters, in Llandrindod, and the FC Social Club in Llansantffraid, from 10am to 4pm daily. Both testing units are by appointment only and provide a drive-through service.

The mobile testing units are part of the council’s wider testing programme in Powys alongside the three main testing sites. Residents can access two national testing centres in Newtown and Brecon where you can walk, drive or cycle for a test, and a further local testing unit in Builth Wells for a drive-through appointment.

The move is part of a rolling programme of mobile testing to ensure residents have access to Covid-19 testing as close to home as possible. Residents who are feeling symptoms but are unable to attend a mobile testing unit can request a home testing kit, delivered to your home.

The mobile testing facilities will continue to move to other locations across Powys to help ensure people have access to testing where there is a need.

All units are available by appointment only for people with symptoms. These are: a new continuous cough, high temperature (fever), loss of or change to sense of smell or taste.

With a new variant of the virus that can spread more easily now circulating everywhere in Wales, it is more vital than ever that if you are feeling unwell or showing any signs or symptoms of coronavirus, you must first self-isolate immediately, and book a test as soon as possible.

Please remember, all of Wales is in lockdown (alert level 4) where people must follow national guidelines, including:

• Stay at home

• Meet only the people you live with

• Work from home if you can

• Wear a face covering where required

• Wash your hands regularly

• Stay two metres from anyone you do not live with

More information about what we will all need to do at alert level 4 is available from the Welsh Government website.

Appointments in Llandrindod, Llansantffraid, Newtown and Brecon can be booked through the UK Government national booking portal, either online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, by phone on 119, or 18001 119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties. This is also the way to request a home testing kit.

Residents in and around Builth can make an appointment at the local testing unit by calling 01874 612228 or online at powys.testing@wales.nhs.uk

For more information about Covid-19 testing in Powys, visit the health board’s website at www.pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing.