Covid-19 tests that provide results within 30 minutes are being offered to critical workers in Wokingham who are not showing any symptoms of the virus.

They can now arrange to take a lateral flow test at Wokingham Borough Council’s office in Shute End.

The tests are being offered to a range of critical workers who live or work in Wokingham, including health and social care workers, police officers, firefighters, supermarket workers, nursery staff and postal workers.

Tests must be booked in advance and people cannot just turn up.

The council hopes the testing programme will stop asymptomatic critical workers from spreading the virus in Wokingham, which has seen a surge in cases since the second national lockdown was lifted in December.

READ MORE: Covid-19 hotspots in Wokingham after 687 new cases

Around one in three people who have Covid-19 show no symptoms and can spread the virus without realising it.

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, said: “We urge residents that need to leave home for work to come forward for a test.

“These tests should be done once or twice weekly, depending on how frequently you are leaving home to go to work, for maximum effectiveness.”

He added: “We must stress that a negative lateral flow test result does not give people immunity and should not be used as an excuse to bend the rules under current Covid-19 restrictions.

“This is very important as you could put others at severe risk.

“If you test negative, you can continue to go to work, however you should follow social distancing guidance and the rules under the current Covid-19 restrictions.”

The council is now looking to set up two more lateral flow testing centres in Wokingham and a mobile outbreak response unit.

READ MORE: 19 homeowners may be forced out to make way for huge development

Cllr Margetts said the council will soon be able to test 800 people a day and “expand the operation if it comes close to capacity”.

Wokingham’s infection rate stands at 354.7 cases per 100,000 people, after 607 new cases were recorded over the last seven days.

When the second national lockdown ended on December 2, the infection rate was 128.6 cases per 100,000 people, but public health experts believe a new and more infectious strain of the virus has caused case numbers to soar.

So far, more than 130 councils across the country have agreed to test asymptomatic critical workers.

For more information visit: wokingham.gov.uk/health/