Covid testing hub set up at Utilita Arena Birmingham

Birmingham residents can now get tested for Covid-19 at the walk-in facility even if they don't have symptoms, with no appointments needed.

The lateral flow tests at the former National Indoor Arena are aimed at finding people who may have no symptoms but are infectious.

Similar tests have been offered in Wolverhampton and Liverpool for several weeks.

The lateral flow test is most useful for identifying people who are infectious on the day of the test but don’t have symptoms.

The council is particularly encouraging testing for those that work in close contact jobs, such as taxi drivers, people working in kitchens or logistics and manufacturing, but the service is open to anyone who lives or works in Birmingham.

Parents will need to help children under the age of 11 years old do their swabs.

Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Together with the vaccination roll-out, increased testing is a key weapon in our battle against coronavirus and this marks a significant step in our city’s work to return to a more normal way of life.

"One in three people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms at all, so testing people without symptoms is one way we can stop the spread of the virus and keep our friends, family members, and neighbours safe."

The testing site is open seven days a week, 8am to 6pm, though the site will offer reduced opening hours over the Christmas period.