Covid-19 testing sites in Birmingham will remain open over the Christmas and new year period as England cracks down on tracking rising rates of positive coronavirus cases in the country.
Test and Trace confirmed on Tuesday 22 December that booking slots are available for people that need to get tested over Christmas, including Christmas Day and bank holidays like Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
The government say that you will be able to order lateral flow devices and PCR tests every day over the festive period. The 119 service will continue business as usual on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve "from 7am to 6pm, and Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from 7am to 5pm". On other days, "the service will operate from 7am to 11pm".
Will testing sites be open on Christmas Day? Where can I get a lateral flow and PCR test over Christmas?
Yes, the NHS have confirmed that all testing sites including Birmingham's will be open on Christmas Day - but only from 10am until 2pm.
The testing sites offer lateral flow device tests as well as PCR tests.
The NHS have said that if you wish to pick up a lateral flow home test from pharmacies on Christmas Day then you need to get a code from 119 to take to any chemists or pharmacies.
Birmingham walk-through testing sites include the following:
Car Park, St Paul's Rd, Smethwick B66 1EG
60 Villa St, Lozells, Birmingham B19 2XS
Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Ln, Birmingham B32 3DS
19 Alfred Rd, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 4PB
Bournbrook, Birmingham B15 2TU
Car Park 5, Airport, Birmingham B26 3QJ
Stirchley, Birmingham B30 3BN (Lifford House Car Park)
Car Park, Temple St, West Bromwich B70 9AF
Car Park, S Parade, Sutton Coldfield B72 1QY
Campus, University of Wolverhampton, Gorway Rd, Campus, Walsall WS1 3BB
25 South St, Palfrey, Walsall WS1 4HE
Long Stay Car Park, Dudley Rd, West Bromwich, Oldbury B69 3DL
69 Hall St, Darlaston, Wednesbury WS10 8NW
Powis Ave, Tipton DY4 0RL
Trescott Rd, Redditch B98 7AH
Oakeywell St, Dudley DY2 8NT (Long Stay Car Park)
Car Park, Railway St, Oxford St, Bilston WV14 7DE
Lye By-Pass, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 8EU (Orchard Lane Car Park)
Bromsgrove B61 0AB (Stourbridge Road Car Park)
Car Park, Studley Gate, Stourbridge DY8 3RR
Are pharmacies open for Covid tests?
Yes, you can also get a test by making an appointment at selected community pharmacies in the city. You will need to check their remaining appointment availabilities.
You can do this if you are symptom-free and over the age of 11. If you have symptoms then it is advised to order a home test-kit from the government website.
The list of pharmacies still offering testing over Christmas, including Christmas Day (excluding Sundays), by area:
Alum Rock
- My Local Chemist
- Hingley Pharmacy
Aston/ Witton
- Zenith Pharmacy
Balsall Heath/ Highgate
- Fakir Chemist
- Shifa Pharmacy
Bordesley Green/ Heartlands
- A+ Pharmacy
Erdington
- ND Chemists
Handsworth/ Soho Road
- Marks Chemist
Harborne/ Quinton
- Jhoots Pharmacy
Kings Norton/ Hawkesley
- Kings Pharmacy & Optician
- Browns Hawkesley
Ladywood/ Jewellery Quarter
- Ladywood Pharmacy
Lozells/ Perry Barr
- Tower Hill Pharmacy
Moseley/ Billesley/ Yardley Wood
- Chemycare Pharmacy
- Browns (Yardley Wood)
Nechells/ Saltley/ Duddeston
- Nechells Pharmacy
Queslett
- BSB Pharmacy
- MW Phillips Shady Lane
Small Heath
- Shaydon Pharmacy
Stechford/ Yardley/ Lea Hall
- Chemicare (Stetchford)
Sparkbrook
- Sparkbrook Pharmacy
Sparkhill
- Laser Pharmacy
- Masters Pharmacy
- Sparkhill Pharmacy
Sutton Coldfield
- Lloyds Wylde Green
Weoley Castle/ Bartley Green
- Kings Pharmacy
- Castle Chemist
- Knights Pharmacy
Will test services online be available?
Yes, NHS Test and Trace contact tracers will also continue to work throughout the holidays, with services provided online through the self-service process on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: "I am very grateful to every single member of our staff who, right through the pandemic, have been part of our front line services against the pandemic.
"They will be sacrificing time with their loved ones to make sure testing and tracing continues, with minimal disruption to our services during the festive season."