No – you should not attend the Smart ‘no symptoms’ community test centres. There are currently no ‘test to release’ arrangements available for the public. If you have been told by NHS Test and Trace or a public health official that you are a contact of a positive case, it is a legal requirement that you have to self-isolate for 10 days (recently reduced from 14 days). Failure to self-isolate for the full time-period can result in a fine, starting from £1,000.
Getting a test when you’re already in self-isolation cannot reduce the length of time you are required to self-isolate. f you develop Covid-19 symptoms during the self-isolation period, it is recommended that you go to one of the NHS Test Centres for people with symptoms and get a PCR test to confirm whether you do have Covid-19. The local NHS test centres are at the vacant Police station/magistrates Kingsway, Widnes and behind St Paul’s Health Centre in Runcorn.
Until we are able to get everyone vaccinated, hopefully later in 2021, self-isolation is one of the best ways that we can protect our friends, family and community against Covid-19.