The mobile testing unit at Torquay Coach Station in Lymington Road will be there until at least Friday 25 September, but will not be operating on Monday 21 September.

Please note, testing capacity nationally is currently being scaled up. This includes new testing sites and laboratories. While the scaling up is happening, the current service is very busy.

Leader of Torbay Council, Cllr Steve Darling, said: “As you may be aware the lack of testing capacity is a national issue and, although the responsibility doesn’t lie with the local authority, we are doing all we can, with partners to support ways of making more capacity available for local people as soon as possible. We understand that the situation is worrying and frustrating but we ask for your patience at this time.”

If you have symptoms please book a test as normal via the government website or by calling 119. 

The test should be done in the first 5 days of having the following symptoms:

• high temperature – feeling hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• new, continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different from normal

You can check your symptoms via 111 online or calling 111.

Anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location or time which is not convenient, is being asked to wait a few hours and then try again. Please only book a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus OR have been advised by a medical practitioner to arrange a test, for example because you are going into hospital.

Temporary arrangements are in place locally to try and help with delays. If you are unable to book a slot through the government website, please email d-ccg.cornwalldevon.urgenttesting@nhs.net and you should be contacted within 24 hours by someone who will help to arrange a test for you.

We are working hard to put additional local arrangements in place to boost our local testing availability until national testing capacity can be increased and we will update you as soon as the situation changes.