Two Mobile Testing Units that have been visiting communities around Powys have now completed a full rotation of the county by returning to Llanidloes and Ystradgynlais for a second time this year from Monday 15 March.

The two units will be located at Cae Hafren, Llanidloes Rugby Club Playing Fields just off the A470, and The Miner’s Welfare Car Park, Ystradgynlais for residents in the Upper Swansea Valley.

Mobile testing is by appointment-only and provide a drive-through service.

The two units are part of a rolling programme of mobile testing to ensure residents have access to COVID-19 testing as close to home as possible. Residents who are feeling symptoms but are unable to attend a Mobile Testing Unit can request a Home Testing Kit, delivered to your home.

A number of workplaces have contributed to a recent rise in outbreaks of COVID-19 where they have provided an opportunity for infection to spread, especially in settings where people work in close proximity to one another.

Testing teams are continuing to encourage people to visit their nearest testing unit if they become unwell with any of the signs and symptoms which are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.

Residents can also access two further national testing centres in Newtown and Brecon where you can walk, drive or cycle for a test, and an additional two Community Testing Unit in Builth Wells and Welshpool for drive-through appointments.

All testing units are available by appointment only for people with symptoms. These are: a new continuous cough, high temperature (fever), loss of or change to sense of smell or taste.

Please remember, all of Wales is in lockdown (alert level 4) where people must follow national guidelines and:

• stay at home

• meet only the people you live with

• work from home if you can

• wear a face covering where required

• wash your hands regularly

• stay 2 metres from anyone you do not live with

Everyone should follow this guidance whether or not they have received COVID-19 vaccination.

More information about what we will all need to do at Alert Level 4 is available from the Welsh Government Website at What you need to do at alert level 4.

Appointments in Llanidloes, Ystradgynlais, Newtown and Brecon can be booked through the UK Government national booking portal, either online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test, by phone on 119, or 18001 119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties. This is also the way to request a home testing kit.

Residents in and around Builth Wells and Welshpool can make an appointment at the Community Testing Unit by calling 01874 612228 or by emailing [email protected].

For more information about COVID-19 testing in Powys, visit the health board’s website at www.pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing