Covid testing site to open at York St John University

A rapid response coronavirus testing site will open at York St John University on Monday (30 November).

The university is working with NHS Test & Trace to set up the Covid test site so that students without symptoms can be tested before the end of term.  

If their results are positive, they will be supported to self-isolate. Negative results will give reassurance to students and to the communities that they live in as they travel home for Christmas.

The university testing site will offer self-swab, lateral flow device tests.

These don’t require a laboratory to be processed. Instead they are processed by trained personnel and can rapidly turn around results within an hour.   

Anyone testing positive for the virus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts.

All students are encouraged to get tested to help protect themselves and their friends, families and home communities as safe as possible when returning home for the holiday period.   

Vice Chancellor of York St John University Professor Karen Bryan said:  “I’m very proud of our university community for responding positively during this window of opportunity to take part in the national asymptomatic testing programme.

“We want to do everything possible to support our students to keep themselves and their loved ones safe at the end of this term.  

“Our Rapid Response Covid Testing site enables us to play an important role in tackling the pandemic and moving closer to a more normal way of life.”