Blackburn College joins list of borough coronavirus testing sites

Everyone in Blackburn with Darwen is being encouraged to get tested, you don’t need to have symptoms of coronavirus.

Rather than more testing meaning more cases and further lockdown measures, testing allows to understand what’s happening with the virus locally. The more we test the quicker we can tackle outbreaks, get people self-isolating and bring the figures down.

You can request a home kit to be posted out to you, or attend the borough’s mobile testing facilities or the permanent site at Old Bank Lane outside Royal Blackburn Hospital.

As of Thursday, August 27 mobile testing has moved from Witton Park Academy to Penny Street car park in Blackburn, where it is operating 11am-6pm seven days a week.

A mobile testing unit is also available at Corporation Park situated close to the gatehouse on Preston New Road operating 11am – 6pm seven days a week. Entrance for vehicles is on West Park Road and the exit leads out onto Preston New Road. Pedestrians can access from Preston New Road.

While the mobile sites accept pedestrians, a specific walk-in coronavirus testing facility has also now opened on the car park at Blackburn College.

It will operate reduced hours for the first two days (August 27 and 28) and then be open 8am–8pm seven days a week.

The site is easily accessible without a car but visitors are asked to follow public health guidelines around social distancing and face coverings when on site.

To get tested at any of these sites you will just need to register beforehand online or call 119. It takes about 5 mins to do

If attending one of the testing facilities, once registered you will get a code. Please take this with you so staff can attach it to your test.

Parents and carers will be asked to administer to children under the age of 11.

Dr Fazal Dad, Principal and Chief Executive of Blackburn College, said:

Blackburn College is extremely proud, during these crucial times, to be supporting the national and local campaign for communities to access Covid-19 testing facilities.

The Covid-19 testing walk-in facility on the College campus provides Blackburn and Darwen residents with access to a walk-in service which will allow quick and easy access to results.