New Covid testing site at Vale Village

From Tuesday (9 March), the Duck and Scholar bar in the Vale Village will be temporarily turned into a walk in lateral flow testing centre for all students. 

The Government has made it clear that it expects students to come forward for regular testing and they will review the data on the level of testing to inform their decision-making about post-Easter returns to campus. Regular testing is not only the responsible thing to do, it will also help to pave the way for the rest of our student population to return as soon as possible. Students in University accommodation should access regular testing, regardless of whether or not they are regularly visiting campus for study and the centre will enable students to easily access lateral flow testing without needing to travel onto campus.

The testing centre will open from the 9 March for walk-ins for all students, with no booking required, every Tuesday and Friday, between 11.00am-6.45pm (closed 2.00-2.45pm). All students who take a lateral flow test at the site will receive a goody bag, while stocks last.

Lateral flow tests are for those who don’t have symptoms but who may be infectious at the time of testing. This type of test is very good at identifying people who have high levels of the virus, and are infectious on the day and is most effective when you get tested regularly, at least once a week, or twice a week if you are on campus more often.

If you are displaying any of the COVID-19 symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you should not seek a lateral flow test or attend campus and instead seek a PCR test.