People were starting to line up as a new walk-though coronavirus testing facility opened in Workington yesterday.

A small group was waiting ready to be tested for Covid-19 when the new facility opened at 2pm.

The new testing station is being rolled out in the town to boost the fight against the pandemic as the country prepares to emerge from lockdown next week.

Cumbria’s director of public health, Colin Cox, has warned however that there could still be restrictions, and he feels it is the hospitality industry that could still bear the brunt.

The county is waiting to see what tier it will be put into at the end of lockdown when the Government make their announcement today.

“I have not been told or consulted but I think the Government might opt to put Cumbria into tier two.

“The rate all over Cumbria is flattening but large outbreaks in two schools – one in Carlisle and one in South Lakes – have seen over 200 outbreaks and that is bringing the R rate up.

“In Allerdale the latest figures show that 12.5 per 100,000 people have the virus.

“Life will not change much if Cumbria is in tier two. The most hard-hit will be the hospitality industry again, because they are the ones who must make the most changes.”

The new test centre can be found in the overflow car park on Griffin Street, between Allerdale House and Workington Leisure Centre.

It will be open from 10am to 5pm today and then from 8am to 8om from Friday onwards.

Testing is available for everyone, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Anyone who is showing any of the coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute.