Two new coronavirus testing sites for people with no covid symptoms are to be opened in Glasgow.

A site will open on March 1 at the Central Mosque in Gorbals and another in Govanhill.

It is part of a phased roll-out where other sites will open in the city to identify people with Covid, but who have no symptoms, so they can self-isolate and help break the chain of infection.

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The sites will be staffed by the army and also with volunteers at the Mosque.

People living in surrounding communities who do not have Covid-19 symptoms are being asked to come forward for tests from March 1.

Appointments are not needed, people can just turn up and get tested.

The centres will be located at the Central Mosque, 1 Mosque Avenue, Glasgow, and at Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Daisy Street, Glasgow. They will each be in place for several weeks.

Glasgow Times:

It follows a pilot  programme where asymptomatic testing sites were set up in December in Dalmarnock and Pollokshields.

The new community testing programme is part of ongoing, wider, asymptomatic national testing, which includes health and social care workers and students. Similar test facilities will be set up in other Glasgow neighbourhoods in coming weeks.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, Public Health Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We know that COVID-19 is often spread by people who don’t have symptoms or they are so mild they do not recognise they have the infection. 

"Asymptomatic testing enables identification of infection so that people are not spreading the infection to their families, work colleagues or the wider community as they go shopping or exercising. This has the potential to reduce spread overall. That means we will be more likely to be able to reduce restrictions more quickly.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “I would encourage people not displaying Covid-19 symptoms to volunteer for a test where asymptomatic testing centres have been set up in their local area. The test results will help to detect the virus and limit its spread in our communities.”

Free testing continues to be available to anyone with Covid symptoms. Anyone with a fever, new continuous cough or loss of / change in taste or smell should isolate straight away and book a test at NHSinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.

People who test positive will have to self-isolate for 10 days (or longer if fever persists). Anyone asked to self-isolate who needs support, can phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000) or textphone (0800 111 4114) from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The helpline can also advise people about eligibility for the Self-Isolation Support Grant.