THE places where East Lothian residents with no Covid-19 symptoms can go to get a test for the virus over the next week have been confirmed, with home testing kits able to be picked up from the site in Musselburgh.

The testing centre in the former Stoneyhill Community Centre near Musselburgh Rugby Club remains open.

All county residents with no symptoms, including a fever, cough, or loss or change of taste or smell, can attend between 11am and 6pm Tuesday-Saturday.

No appointment is required and people can get tested more than once.

People are also able to visit the facility and collect a test kit to take home.

With new cases of the virus continuing to be reported in East Lothian and now at an all time high, a schedule for the deployment of mobile testing units over the next week has also been confirmed.

All are open 10am-6pm, and will be in the following places:

Friday, June 25

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Port Seton Centre
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Saturday, June 26; Sunday, June 27

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent

Monday, June 28

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • Port Seton Centre
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Tuesday, June 29; Wednesday, June 30; Thursday, July 1

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • The Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Friday, July 2

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • Port Seton Centre
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Saturday, July 3; Sunday, July 4

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent

Walk-in appointments are available. While appointments are not needed, they are preferred to save time.

Bookings can be made from 6pm the day before getting tested at: gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or on 0300 303 2713.

When asked why you are booking a test, select ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’.

People can also order rapid lateral flow test kit online or pick one up from their local pharmacy, they are suitable for those wanting to test at home and have no symptoms. People can check their nearest collection point at maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk

Those with symptoms should make an appointment through the NHS Inform website or by calling 0300 303 2713 between 7am and 11pm. They will be advised where to go for a test.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Almost one in three people who have Covid-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing the virus on to others.

“While good progress is being made with the rollout of the vaccination programme, the virus does still present a risk to public health.

“That's why local arrangements continue to be in place for people without symptoms to get tested. Testing can help society move to an even less restrictive way of life.

“It means local residents can find out if they are positive – even if they’ve received vaccination – and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus, by self-isolating.”