The grounds of Himley Hall and Park are now fully open to the public after a temporary coronavirus testing centre left the park.

A section of the grounds of the Dudley Council-run venue had been used for a number of weeks as a drive-through coronavirus testing centre.

As the testing capacity has been increased elsewhere in the borough, the Department for Health and Social Care has redeployed this test centre to meet testing demands elsewhere in the country.

People with symptoms of coronavirus (a new and persistent cough, a high temperature or loss or change in sense of taste and smell) can still get tested at one of the borough’s four remaining test centres. These include the three walk-through test centres in Dudley, Lye and Stourbridge and a drive-through test centre at the Waterfront in Brierley Hill.

Further details can be found at dudley.gov.uk/coronavirus. All tests must be booked online or by calling 119.

The grounds of Himley Hall and Park will now be fully open to the public as usual, but people are urged to follow social distancing guidelines and the latest restrictions at all times. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

"With things changing so quickly, the nature of the mobile testing centres mean they can be redeployed elsewhere to respond to demands in other areas of the country.

"In the last week we have increased out testing capacity in the borough so I would like to reassure residents that we do have ample capacity for symptom testing at our other four sites. The most recent one opening on Studley Gate car park in Stourbridge last week.

"I’d also like to remind people that we’re offering symptom free testing to those who are eligible at Saltwells Education Centre, Dudley Leisure Centre and at 30 pharmacies across the borough."

In order to qualify for a symptom free test a person must be a key worker who lives or works in the borough, who has a public facing role but is unable to get a lateral flow test through their employer. It is also for those in contact with people who are vulnerable, such as shop workers, taxi drivers and those providing support in the voluntary sector.

People who live or work in the borough and cannot follow the ‘stay at home’ directive for one of the permitted reasons can also seek a test.

Tests can be booked online and people get results in 20 to 30 minutes. People will still need to swab their nose and throat, but the results are much faster than the standard test which goes to a lab. For more details, visit dudley.gov.uk