Community Testing available throughout April

Community Testing will be available for anyone over the age of 11, who DOES NOT have COVID-19 symptoms and who is NOT self-isolating, throughout most of April in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Community Testing will run from Wednesday, 7^th  until Friday, 30^th April, and  located in Treorchy (Park and Dare Theatre), Aberdare (Coliseum Theatre), Pontypridd (Llys Cadwyn Building B) and Mountain Ash (Darren Las Community Building), with the centres open 7 days a week between 9am and 7pm. All centres are walk-ins with no appointment necessary, although last to queue entry will be 6:30pm. Further details are provided below.

Community Testing will be available to all residents, whether they live in the locality of a testing centre or not.

1-in-3 people with COVID-19 will have no symptoms, and the purpose of Community Testing is to identify cases of COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals who may go on to unknowingly infect others, usually those closest to them.

By identifying cases of COVID-19 in people with no symptoms, these individuals can then go on to self-isolate which will prevent the risk of spreading the virus within our communities, and in turn reduce the risk of others becoming seriously unwell.

A package of enhanced support is available to people who are required to self-isolate, which includes the Welsh Government’s Self-Isolation Support Payment Scheme, as well as food packages and baby care products if required.

People who have had their COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to take part in Community Testing. Although the vaccines are effective, you can still catch and spread COVID-19. The vaccine helps to protect the individual who receives it, and with many residents yet to be vaccinated, COVID-19 still poses a risk to them.

The Council is also encouraging all businesses whose staff cannot work from home - particularly those working in transport (such as bus or taxi drivers), food retail workers, or those in the construction or manufacturing industry - to also encourage their employees to take a test to protect their colleagues and families.

Cases of COVID-19 are currently low in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and we all want to keep it that way, especially as restrictions are relaxed and people begin to mix more.

Louise Davies, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Director for Public Health, Protection & Community Services,said: “Community Testing is one way in which we can help to keep cases low in our County Borough. By identifying people with no symptoms of COVID-19 who could go on to infect others without realising, they will be able to safely self-isolate to protect their loved ones and the wider community. This will help us isolate the virus and reduce transmission in our communities, allowing us to get back to the things we enjoy doing sooner.

“We know that COVID-19 can rebound quickly in communities, as we have seen recently in other parts of Wales. By not being vigilant and working to keep the virus under control, we risk the virus rebounding, putting our recovery at risk and prolonging restrictions.

“Residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf have worked incredibly hard to get us to this point, but it’s really important that we don’t waste these efforts by being complacent. The virus is still around, and we need to keep it at bay.

“The Community Testing programme has successfully operated in areas across Rhondda Cynon Taf throughout March, identifying people with COVID-19 who had no symptoms and preventing more people becoming infected and possibly unwell. We are pleased to announce that all residents can now access these facilities as restrictions are relaxed and people mix more.

“With as many as 1-in-3 COVID-19 cases not having any symptoms, I urge all residents to take a free COVID-19 test at one of the Community Testing Centres where possible.”

Following this testing period, the Community Testing locations will be reviewed and possibly moved to other communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

For more information on Community Testing, including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/masstesting