North Ayrshire's mobile coronavirus testing unit is to arrive in the Garnock Valley tomorrow.

The centre will operate at J&D Pierce Contracts Limited, Caledonian Road, Glengarnock, KA14 3DA, tomorrow Friday, January 8, and Saturday, January 9.

This temporary facility will allow people who have COVID-19 symptoms to get a free swab test as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for communities.

Health bosses previously decided there was no need for a North Ayrshire coronavirus testing site, with patients having to travel to Crosshouse and Ayr hospitals deemed acceptable.

Access to the mobile testing centre will be by appointment only and must be booked in advance.

Testing is free, quick and vital to stopping the spread of coronavirus. It's available for all ages and groups, including vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The booking portal is open and tests must be booked in advance at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816. 

You should only book a test if you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste). You can expect your result the day after your test.

If you're attending the mobile testing centre, you'll be asked to confirm your identity on arrival.

You will then be issued with a test kit and directed to a testing booth, where you will be given guidance to help you do the swab test yourself by taking swabs from both the nose and mouth.

The swab test takes less than a minute and is relatively pain-free.

After safely completing the test, a testing assistant will advise you how to register your test online or by phone and then how to exit the centre. You should receive your result the next day.

Watch a video explaining the process for walk-through testing here

If you test positive, you will be contacted by NHS Scotland tracers. They will help you identify who you have been in contact with, protecting others from further transmission. Your close contacts will also hear from contact tracers, asking them to stay at home for 10 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book a test if they develop symptoms.

These mobile test centres provide another way for people without access to cars to book appointments, and to improve accessibility to testing in the heart of communities who need it most.

The mobile testing sites are easily accessible without a car. If you're coming to be tested, you will be required to follow public health measures, including physical distancing; not travelling by taxi or public transport; practising good personal hygiene; wearing a face covering throughout (including travelling to and from the mobile testing sites).

Anyone attending an appointment at a mobile testing centre will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the site safely, including the measures listed above. The approach has been agreed with expert clinical oversight.

Further sites across North Ayrshire are currently being considered as additional mobile testing locations, updates on these will be provided in due course