Mobile testing unit in Ash Vale:
The Carrington Recreation Ground car park is temporarily closed for up to two weeks between 8am and 8pm whilst a Mobile Testing Unit is in operation. The testing unit is for pre-booked drive-through and walk-through appointments. Residents attempting to access the car park are being asked to confirm the purpose of their visit and are being turned away by NHS Staff if it is not for a pre-booked testing appointment.
This mobile testing site is for residents who are not showing any sign of COVID-19 and is in addition to the sites already deployed in Farnborough and Aldershot.
Users of the recreation ground will note an increase in traffic flow during these times and should exercise additional caution.
Surge testing in Ash
Following the announcement from The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Surge Testing is strongly encouraged for people who either live or work in the targeted postcodes, regardless of county. The testing is for everyone over the age of 12 whether you have already received vaccinations.
Targeted post codes:
- GU11
- GU12
- GU51
- GU52
How to book your test
You can book a test using the national booking website, which will take you to your nearest available local testing site.
Note when answering “Why are you asking for a test?” answer “I’ve been told to get a test by my local council, health protection team or healthcare professional“.
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
You can book to test via:
- A walk through test site
- A drive through test site
- Order a home testing kit for up to 3 persons
Nearby Surge testing locations
- ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING ONLY, Carrington Lodge, Carrington Recreation Ground, Ash Vale, GU12 5QP
- ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING ONLY, Farnborough (Napier Gardens Car Park), Napier Gardens Car Park, Queens Avenue, Farnborough, GU11 2JH
- ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING ONLY, Aldershot Multi-Storey Car Park, Wellington Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 1SD
Recreation Ground facilities
Except for the car park, all other facilities are open as usual to pedestrians via Carrington Ln access from Frimley Road.
If you need to access the recycling centre here by car, please visit the Ash Parish Council website for a full list of alternative options: https://www.ashpcsurrey.gov.uk/waste-collecting-and-recycling
Why is this mobile testing unit needed
The mobile unit is deployed to ensure there is sufficient surge testing capacity at a location that is accessible to all. Specifically, it is being deployed following the identification of a small number of confirmed cases of the variant first identified in India, B1.617.2.
In the DHSC statement, they confirmed that all the confirmed cases have been instructed to self-isolate and their contacts have been identified.
The seven-day rolling rate of new cases is published via an interactive map, which for May shows an upsurge within the targeted postcodes, resulting in surge testing in and around the impacted areas.