Kirklees Council is bringing a mobile collection point to a number of areas across the borough to make it easier for local people to access Covid-19 lateral flow home testing kits.

In a national effort to reduce infection rates, twice-weekly asymptomatic Covid-19 testing is currently available for everyone in England.

As part of a pilot, the council is setting up a one-day mobile collection point in each the following areas: Dewsbury, Batley, Ravensthorpe and Sheepridge in Huddersfield between April 23 and 26.

Anyone over 18 can collect two packs of home testing kits (containing seven tests each). There’s no need to book, just turn up wearing a face covering and social distance from others.

The tests come with instructions on how to use them. The council will have staff on hand to help. People will also be able to take a test at the mobile collection point.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, strategic director for public health at Kirklees Council, said: “In addition to getting vaccinated and always remembering hands, face, space, another great way you can help reduce the spread of Covid-19 in your community is getting a rapid lateral flow test twice a week if you are not showing any symptoms.

“Asymptomatic testing helps us identify people who are infectious and could spread the infection to others unknowingly.

“This is particularly important with restrictions now starting to ease and it now being much more likely to come into contact with people from other households.

“We’re piloting these mobile collection points to make it even easier for people to take up the offer of getting tested twice a week.”

Friday 23 April

8am–12noon, 1pm-5pm Ravensthorpe Retail Park, Ravensthorpe

Saturday 24 April

8am–12noon, 1pm-5pm, Sainsbury’s, Dewsbury

Sunday 25 April

8am–12noon, 1pm-5pm, Wards Hill car park, Wellington Street, Batley, WF17 5HZ.

Monday 26 April

8am–12noon, 1pm-5pm, Chestnut Centre, Sheepridge, HD2 1HJ