New walk-through testing site opens in Pontypridd

The Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has today welcomed the launch of a new coronavirus testing facility at the University of South Wales in Pontypridd.

The site, which opens today (Friday 25^thSeptember), is based at the university’s student car park at the Treforest Campus, and is part of a Welsh Government agreement with the UK Government to create 12 local testing sites (LTS) in Wales which will increase testing capacity.It is a walk-through site and tests can be booked in the normal way by calling 119 or online at gov.wales/coronavirus

The first tranche of local testing sites will be rolled out between September and October and will be based near universities across Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor.

Each of these new local testing sites willprovide access to testing for returning students and local residents.

Testing will only be available for people with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

The site is being operated in partnership with Mitie and will offer self-administered tests.

Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething, said: “Testing is critical in our fight against coronavirus, with Rhondda Cynon Taf and surrounding areas currently subject to local restrictions, it is important people are able to access testing to ensure we can stop the spread and also to understand the infection rate in the area.

“The Pontypridd site is the first of 12 centres, which will be created following an agreement between the Welsh Government and the UK Government. The new sites will be spread across Wales and are a vital part of our NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect programme.”