FREE Covid-19 test kits are now available through community pharmacies across the district.

Under the Pharmacy Collect initiative, people without symptoms can request a box of the kits – known as lateral flow devices – for regular testing at home or elsewhere.

Details of participating pharmacies can be found at maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk.

The service forms part of NHS Test and Trace and the Government’s Covid-19 roadmap plan.

It’s hoped that widening the offer of tests will help identify positive cases of the disease in the community and break the chain of transmission, avoiding the need for further periods of lockdown.

Ruth Buchan, of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire, said: “The community pharmacy provision of Covid testing means people across the area have greater access to this service.

“People can visit pharmacies in a variety of locations and at a time that suits them.”

Alastair Buxton, of NHS Services, said: “It’s fantastic that people without symptoms are now able to walk into local community pharmacies to access free lateral flow tests to use at home.

“Pharmacies are at the heart of local communities.

“They have offered face-to-face healthcare advice throughout the pandemic and are pleased to support the national testing programme.”