The local testing site is pedestrian access only and easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to social distance, not travel by taxi or public transport and wear a face covering throughout (including travelling to and from the testing centre). The Prospect Park site has previously been used as a mobile testing site several days a month since October 2020. Testing facilities are expected to be in place seven days a week, 8am - 8pm for the next three to six months. Testing will be for pre-booked appointments only, and those turning up without an appointment will not be tested.
Reading Borough Council (RBC) started local contact tracing on October 26, 2020. The team have received 480 cases of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 who the National Test and Trace had attempted but not been able to make contact with. A spokesperson said: Our local contact tracing team were able to contact, give advice and details of contacts were taken for over 50% of cases, 242 people. Reading Borough Council’s local contact tracing performance taken together with National Test and Trace is making contact with circa 87% of people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Councillor Graeme Hoskin, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Health added: “We’re really pleased the success our local contact tracing team have had in making contact with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, where the national system has been unable to.