Mobile Testing Unit – Temporary Facility run by Scottish Ambulance Service and NSS
Venues and dates: Balfour Community Centre, Plean, on Thursday and Friday (4, 5 March), and Cowie Primary School on Saturday and Sunday (6, 7 March).
Q&As
Q. How can I make an appointment at the Balfour Community Centre or Cowie Primary School Mobile Testing Units (MTU)?
A. You can make an appointment via the GOV.UK website or by calling 0300 303 2713.
Q. Who is being asked to get tested and why?
A. The priority for this MTU is individuals who live or work in the Plean or Cowie areas. There is an increase in cases in this area. We would also like to identify anyone who may be carrying the infection without knowing to stop further spread.
Q. I have already tested positive for Coronavirus. Should I get tested again?
A. If your positive test was less than 90 days ago you should not get tested again, unless you are now displaying new Coronavirus symptoms. If your positive test was more than 90 days ago you can get tested again.
Q. I don’t have symptoms of coronavirus. Can I still get tested at the MTU?
A. Yes, you will still be able to make an appointment.
Q. Is this a drive-through testing centre?
A. Yes, it is a drive-through centre although if you have no access to a car then walk-in appointments can be booked. Please remember to wear a face mask or covering and observe the rules on physical distancing by staying at least two metres apart whether accessing by car or on foot.
Q. I have tried to get an appointment but the Balfour Community Centre/Cowie Primary School MTU isn’t showing up. What is wrong?
A. The MTU doesn’t show up for booking if the appointments have not been released or it is fully booked. Appointments will only be released each evening for the following morning and in the morning for appointments that afternoon. Appointments will be available to book around 7pm on the day before and will then be released around 7am for that afternoon. This continues for each session.
Q. I have tried to get an appointment but can’t get one. Can I just turn up?
A. No, you need to have an appointment to attend. Please try to call or check online at another time. Sometimes the first day is the busiest so try after that.
Q. Can I choose my appointment?
A. No. Unfortunately, the online booking system doesn’t enable you to choose an appointment time. It will allocate the next available slot. If the available time doesn’t suit you could try to book at a later time.
Q. Can I book my family members in when I book a test for myself?
A. Yes, when you book you will be asked if you also have other family members to be booked.
Q. I work 12 hour shifts. Can the hours of the MTU be extended?
A. The MTU opening hours cannot be extended further. However there is plan to have a schedule of test sites that have extended hours.
Q. I don’t have any symptoms so should I get tested?
A. Yes. Some individuals who have Coronavirus don’t show any symptoms but can still pass the infection on. We are trying to identify any of these asymptomatic cases to prevent the infection spreading.
Q. Do I have to say that I have symptoms to get a test?
A. No, you should select the option ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’ when booking a test.
Q. If individuals who don’t have symptoms take all the testing slots does that mean that someone who has symptoms won’t be able to get tested?
A. No, this MTU is an extra testing facility. The usual testing locations are still available for anyone with symptoms.
Q. I have already tested negative for Coronavirus. Should I get tested again?
A. Yes, if your test was more than a few days ago. The test result is only valid for the day of the test. You could have become infected at any point after that.
Q. Do I have to self-isolate after getting the test until I get results?
A. If you have no symptoms then you do not have to self-isolate between the test and the result. If you are accessing this MTU because you are symptomatic the usual rules apply – you and your household contacts must self-isolate until a negative result is received.
Q. I have received the first dose of my vaccination. Should I still get tested?
A. Yes. The vaccination does not yet appear to prevent you from spreading infection although further research on this is ongoing.
Q. What will happen if I test positive?
A. If you test positive you will get a text advising you and giving further information. Test & Protect will contact you to give you advice and to assess who else has to self-isolate as close contacts. You will have to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your test, or symptoms starting, and any close contacts will have to self-isolate for 10 days since their last contact with you.
Q. If I test positive who are my close contacts?
A. A close contact is any individual you have been in close contact with in the 48 hours before your test (if not symptomatic) or 48 hours before your symptoms started and until you receive your positive test result – this is known as the “infectious period” when you could pass on the infection. This would involve all those within your own household and any extended household, if contact was made during that period. In addition, any other individual who meets the criteria of face-to-face contact, within 1 metre for 1 minute, or within 2 metres for 15 minutes or more over the infectious period. This may involve colleagues. It is important that you reduce your close contacts at all times to reduce the number of individuals you could infect.
Q. I have been identified as a close contact of a positive case but I don’t have any symptoms. Can I go back to work if I get a negative test result?
A. No. If you are identified as a close contact you must self-isolate for the full period of 10 days. This is because it can take up to 10 days to become infected.
Q. If I am off work because I have symptoms, have tested positive or have been identified as a close contact, do I still get paid?
A. You should speak to your employer about this. Scottish Government has published the Coronavirus (COVID-19): fair work statement that states that “no worker should be financially penalised for following medical advice. Any absence relating to COVID-19 should not affect future sick pay entitlement or other entitlements like holiday or accrued time. It should not result in formal attendance related warnings or be accumulated with non-covid related absences in future absence management figures.” The Self-Isolation Support Grant provides £500 for low income workers who are in receipt of Universal Credit or other benefits and will lose earnings as a result of having to self-isolate. For more information call the National Helpline on 0800 111 4000 or go online at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-test-and-protect/pages/support-grants/
Q. Can I book my child a test?
A. Yes. Children under 11 must be swabbed by the parent or carer.
Q. Do I swab myself or can I get help with this?
A. You must swab yourself. If there is going to be a problem with that please contact the helpline on 0300 303 2713.
Last updated: Friday, March 22, 2024 11:43 AM