Lancaster University is helping increase local Covid-19 testing capacity by opening part of our Sports Centre up for use as a community testing facility.

On 16th October, a Covid-19 testing centre will be available in the new Sports Hall, separately from the main Sports Centre facilities which remain open.

The Government Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) will set up a community Covid-19 testing centre in the Sports Hall, part of the Sports Centre from Friday 16^th October.

The testing centre will run seven days a week, 8am-8pm, and will be in place for a minimum of three months, with the Sports Centre remaining open throughout.

Local residents, including Lancaster University staff and students who have coronavirus symptoms will be able to receive tests at the new centre.

For the health and safety of Sports Centre customers, measures will be in place to ensure that visitors to the test centre are directed away from the Sports Centre reception and facilities.

Visitors to the test centre will be directed to access the Sports Hall using the Sports Hall foyer doors, and park at the rear Bowling Green car park. Security staff, provided by the DHSC, will direct pedestrians and cars to their dedicated entrance and car park. There will also be signage in place instructing visitors where to go too.

Parking will be free for test centre customers.

By lending the Sports Hall to the DHSC, the University is helping increase local testing capacity, and ensure a convenient testing location is available for our local community.

Getting a test

If you are experiencing symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of taste or smell, you should request a test online through the government’s Covid-19 test booking system or by calling 119. If you don’t have a National Insurance number or NHS number – which may be the case for some international students – you are advised to call 119 to request a test.

Once allocated a test slot at the Sports Centre, you can then attend.

For more information on symptoms and what to do next, please visit the NHS website. Please also regularly check the staff and student Covid-19 information pages.