COCHRANE Castle residents in Johnstone are being urged to find out if they have Covid-19 as a temporary testing site for people without symptoms of the virus opens tomorrow.

The testing site will be in operation for a week and aims to slow the spread of the virus in the area.

It can be visited at Cochrane Castle Community Centre, in Burns Drive, on a drop-in basis until Tuesday, July 20, with no appointment needed.

Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in the Cochrane Castle area can go along but the tests are only for those who are not displaying any symptoms.

Anyone who does have Covid-19 symptoms, such as a new, persistent cough, should book a test at a NHS-run centre instead.

The facility will use lateral flow tests, which are processed on site, with results returned via text message within 45 minutes.

It is being run and staffed by Renfrewshire Council as part of the national rollout of community testing sites and follows a successful deployment of temporary Covid-19 test sites in Renfrew, Linwood and the Gallowhill and Ferguslie Park areas of Paisley.

The site will be open from 9am until 5pm tomorrow, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, from 11am until 7pm on Thursday and from 11am until 3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board, said: "Now that the restrictions are easing and we have universal testing, it's important that we all get tested as often as we can. 

"Temporary testing sites, like Cochrane Castle Community Centre, play an important part in helping to keep cases low and further reduce the spread of the virus. 

"Anyone who lives, works or who goes to school in the Cochrane Castle area should drop into the centre and take a test. 

"By doing this, you are helping yourself, your loved ones and your community."

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-testing-centres.