The mobile Covid-19 testing unit is available in Merridale until Sunday (18 April), before moving to West Park next week.

Anyone without symptoms of Covid-19 can get a free rapid test, without an appointment, at the mobile unit which is at Nishkam Primary School, Great Brickkiln Lane, from 9am to 7pm until Sunday. 

Next week it will be at West Park, close to the Tea Rooms, where it will be open 10am-7pm on Monday and 9am to 7pm from Tuesday until Sunday 25 April.

John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Twice-weekly rapid testing is key to monitoring coronavirus infections, as evidence shows one in three people infected with Covid-19 do not show symptoms yet may still pass it on.

“Regular asymptomatic testing is helping to stop the virus spreading further, so I would encourage everyone living in Wolverhampton to get a test twice a week.”

As well as the mobile testing unit at Nishkam Primary School, free rapid testing for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is also available at:

  • The Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm
  • The Jamia Masjid Bilal, Newhampton Road West, 10am to 7pm daily
  • Pendeford Library, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm
  • The Hub at Ashmore Park, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 6pm and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays
  • St Joseph’s Church, Willenhall Road, Monday to Friday, 2pm to 6pm

In addition, and to support twice weekly testing, free Covid-19 home test kits are currently available for collection from the mobile test unit, Pendeford Library, Ashmore Park Hub and the Civic Centre, PCR test centres, Bilston and Wolverhampton Markets and participating pharmacies. 

People can collect up to 2 boxes – containing a total of 14 kits – at a time. The kits contain step-by-step instructions enabling people to complete their test from the comfort of home. 

John added: “Alongside vaccination, regular testing is helping to suppress and control the spread of the virus and is central to getting back to a more normal way of life.”

More information on rapid testing for people without symptoms of Covid-19 is available at Coronavirus Testing.

Rapid testing is not available for people who have symptoms of Covid-19, including a fever, a new continuous cough or a change to the sense of taste or smell, or people who have been told to isolate. Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test by visiting GOV.UK or calling 119.