A NEW Covid walk-through testing facility is set to open this week.

The site at Sandgate car park in Penrith is part of the Government's drive to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for communities.

Testing at the new site will start on Friday, with appointments available every day between 8am and 8pm. Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities. Eden District Council, who own and manage the car park, will be engaging with local residents and businesses over the coming days.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 and people being tested can expect their result the next day. Home test kits can also be ordered by people who cannot get to a test site.