Following the easing of COVID restrictions and with children returning to schools after the Easter break, Rutland County Council is reminding local residents and businesses take advantage of free rapid tests available to them.

The government says one in three people who have COVID-19 never show any symptoms but that does not mean they are not infectious. Regular testing is therefore key to help prevent the spread of the virus as lockdown restrictions are eased and the risk of transmission increases.

Anyone living or working in Rutland can book to be tested at the Oakham Enterprise Park (OEP), near Ashwell. The OEP Asymptomatic Testing Site and other local Community Collect sites continue to offer free 'take away' self-test kits, enabling people to test themselves quickly and easily at home.

They should be used twice a week by those who are not displaying any Covid symptoms. These checks are particularly important to protect staff and customers of businesses and services that have now re-opened, such as non-essential retail, hairdressers, barbers and other personal care premises, childcare, indoor sports and leisure, and outdoor hospitality venues that can serve patrons outside.

Community Collect is also available to all households in Rutland. One adult (over the age of 18) from each household can routinely collect and take away two boxes of kits, and be able to take two tests a week for seven weeks, which give rapid, accurate results in just 30 minutes.

Regular testing offers peace of mind for families, people going back to the workplace soon, and anyone now enjoying the chance to get out and about and socialise once within current guidelines.

There is no need to book to call-in at any of these Community Collect sites but visitors must follow social distancing requirements:

· Uppingham Library on Tuesdays, 12.30 – 17.00

· Ketton Library on Tuesdays, 12.30 – 17.00

· Ryhall Library on Thursdays, 12.30 – 17.00

· Oakham Library on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 – 13.00

Unit 18a Oakham Enterprise Park – Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) on Monday: 08:00-17:30, Tuesday: 10:00-19:30 and Friday: 08:00-15:50.

Mike Sandys, Rutland's Director for Public Health, said: "Testing is still very much a key part of the national COVID-19 response. We're particularly keen that everyone in our area should be able to access these lateral flow devices for testing, easily and regularly.

"They are key for anyone who is asymptomatic but could be unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus. We're also encouraging our residents to take tests before seeing relatives or loved ones outside of their lockdown bubble."

He continued: "In addition to taking advantage of this free and convenient testing, we should all continue to follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times - even if you've now been vaccinated against COVID-19."

The Council advises that you must not attend a collection site if:

You have any symptoms of COVID-19. If you do, you must book a test through the gov.uk website or call 119, and self-isolate until you receive your test result.

You should be self-isolating – for example, because you've had close contact with someone who has tested positive, or have recently returned from abroad.

More information about asymptomatic testing and self-test kits can be found at: www.rutland.gov.uk/lfdtesting

If you can't get to a collection point, you can order self-test kits to be sent to your home from www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

Anyone in a household or a bubble with children aged under 18 should choose this online direct option, rather than Community Collect, to get their tests delivered.

If you prefer testing to be carried out for you at the Testing Centre, you can visit during the opening times listed above. Testing takes around 10 minutes; appointments must be booked online, in advance, at www.rutland.gov.uk/lfdtesting