As of last Friday anyone in Cornwall – and the rest of England – will be given access to free lateral flow tests to check if they have Covid-19.

Up to this point only certain categories of people have been eligible for asymptomatic testing, including secondary school students, households with school-age children, early years staff and childminders, health and social care workers and people in small businesses who can't work from home.

However, as announced by the Prime Minister on Easter Monday, regular testing is part of the Government's plan to reopen society and the economy, which is why everyone in England is now being encouraged to take a test twice a week.

But how can you get hold of a lateral flow test in Cornwall? And what should you do if it comes back positive?

These are the sites listed on the NHS website as providing test at home kits for collection, in addition to the drive through testing sites on the Cornwall Council land at Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, and Penwinnick Road, St Austell, where booking is required.

These include, between 2.30pm and 8pm:

  • St Erbyns Car Park, Clarence Street, Penzance
  • 51 Wellington Terrace, Falmouth
  • Heartlands Car Park, Camborne
  • Truro Park and Ride East, Truro
  • Chy Trevail Car Park, Bodmin
  • Westbourne Car Park, Liskeard

There are also a number of community pharmacies that offer collection:

  • Newlyn Pharmacy - 5 The Strand, Newlyn
  • Morrab Pharmacy Limited - Morrab Surgery, Morrab Road, Penzance
  • Carbis Bay Pharmacy - Units 1-2, Trevose House, St Ives Road, Carbis Bay
  • Bodriggy Pharmacy Ltd - 60 Queensway, Hayle
  • Boots - 10 Commercial Street, Camborne
  • Tesco Extra, Carn Brea Industrial Estate
  • Victoria Pharmacy - 2 Pengelly Way, Threemilestone
  • Tesco Instore Pharmacy - Garras Wharf, Truro
  • St Mawes Pharmacy - 12 Kings Road, St Mawes
  • Asda Pharmacy - Cromwell Road, St Austell
  • St Dennis Pharmacy - 79 Fore Street, St Dennis
  • Roche Pharmacy - 8 Fore Street, Roche
  • Mountchase Pharmacy - 13 Fore Street, Lostwithiel
  • Asda - Launceston Road, Bodmin
  • Roberts Pharmacy - The Coombes, Polperro
  • Looe Pharmacy - Fore Street, East Looe
  • Bude Pharmacy - 26 Belle Vue, Bude

Anyone wanting to collect testing kits can simply turn up without booking.

The Packet has contacted NHS Kernow over whether the number of sites is to be extended.

Lateral flow tests can also be ordered online through the Government's website.

What to do if you test positive

If your lateral flow test comes back positive, you should self-isolate and request a confirmatory PCR.

The result of your lateral flow test, regardless of whether it's positive, negative or void, should be registered online or by calling 119 to help with track and trace.

Symptomatic people

Anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms should go for a PCR test instead.

These can be booked over the phone by calling 119 or online at NHS Coronavirus.

How to use the tests

Always follow the instructions for the test you are given.

Before you begin gently blow your nose to fully clear it, wash and dry your hands. Then place the extraction tube in a cup to keep it upright and place six drops of the extraction buffer into the tube.

Taking your swab sample

-Open the package and gently take out the swab. Do not touch the fabric end of the swab.

-Put the swab gently into one nostril; you may feel a slight resistance (insert about 1.5cm or about half an inch). Roll the swab ten times slowly along the

inside of the nostril.

-Remove the swab and repeat ten times in the other nostril.

-Now put the fabric end of the swab into the bottom of the extraction tube. Press the swab head against the edge of the tube with force, while

rotating the swab around the tube for ten seconds to squeeze as much fluid out as possible.

-Take out the swab while squeezing the tube and fabric end of the swab. Place the swab back into the wrapper and dispose of it at home in your

household rubbish bin.

-Press the nozzle cap tightly on to the tube to avoid any leaks.

-Turn the tube upside down and lightly squeeze two drops onto the specimen well of the Rapid Test Strip.

-Place the Rapid Test Strip on a flat surface for 30 minutes. Set a clock, timer, or watch and wait 30 minutes to read the results. Do not read your results

until the 30 minute mark.