Rutland's Rapid Testing Centre has opened to offer regular tests to people who are unable to work from home and have no COVID symptoms.

The testing centre, based at Oakham Enterprise Park and operated by Rutland County Council, opened on Monday.

It offers Lateral flow antigen tests (known as LFD), which require a simple swab from the nostril and throat and are self-administered.

The new testing centre for Rutland is part of UK Government's plans to expand its programme of Lateral Flow Device testing across the country.

The aim is to identify more positive cases of COVID-19 and make sure people with the virus then isolate. This programme is crucial as one in three people have coronavirus without showing any symptoms.

Mike Sandys, Director for Public Health at Rutland County Council said: "The new testing centre is an important part of Rutland's ongoing COVID response. An LFD test is quick and simple and can identify people who have COVID-19 but no symptoms.

"This is extremely important for those who can't work from home and might therefore be spreading the virus without knowing it. Those who test positive having received an LFD test will need to self-isolate. Those who test negative will still need to continue to follow COVID restrictions when at work and out in public and will be asked to continue to take regular tests."

He added: "Rutland's LFD testing centre is only for people who have no COVID-19 symptoms and cannot work from home during the pandemic. If you have any COVID symptoms, you must self-isolate and book a test through the national GOV.UK website, or by calling 119."

To be eligible for an LFD test at the Rutland testing site, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must live or work in Rutland and cannot work from home during the national lockdown

• You must not have any COVID-19 symptoms - the LFD testing centre is just to identify asymptomatic cases

• You must not be self-isolating – for example because you've had close contact with someone who has tested positive, or have recently returned from abroad

• You must not be part of regular asymptomatic testing programme already

Tests must be booked online in advance by visiting: www.rutland.gov.uk/lfdtesting/. You cannot arrive at the centre without an appointment.

The testing centre opening times are as follows:

• Monday: 8am – 3pm

• Tuesday: 8am – 3pm

• Wednesday: 1pm – 8pm