Oldham Community Leisure introduces tests for staff and becomes community Covid test collection point

Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) is supporting its local community to stop the spread of Covid-19 by introducing free covid tests for all members of staff, as well as becoming a Covid test collection point for the wider community.

From today (Friday), local residents can collect rapid flow tests free of charge from:

· Oldham Leisure Centre, Oldham Leisure Centre Middleton Road, Oldham, OL9 6AF

· Royton Leisure Centre, Byron Street, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6QZ

· Failsworth Sports Centre Brierley Ave, Failsworth, M35 9HA

· Chadderton Wellbeing Centre, Burnley Street, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 0JW

· Saddleworth Pool and Leisure Centre Station Rd, Uppermill, Oldham, OL3 6HQ

Stuart Lockwood, CEO, OCL, said: “OCL always puts its local communities’ best interests first and we remain committed to the health and wellbeing of the people we serve.

"We are happy to support Oldham Council’s Public Health Team in its Covid-19 Test and Trace Response by providing a safe and easy collection point for Covid-19 tests.

“It is crucial that members of our community can access these easy-to-use, rapid result Covid tests, in order to identify any localised outbreaks.

"Public Health urges people to use these lateral flow tests twice weekly, even if they do not have any symptoms.”

He added: “I can also confirm that all OCL Staff have additionally been provided with their own tests.

"We recognise the importance of our teams get tested regularly which demonstrates our dedication to regular workplace testing to help keep everyone safe.

"I would urge other employers in the area to do the same.”

The team at OCL has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support the community at every level.

It has already supported the NHS with vaccinations and Covid-19 testing sites at its venues.

Mr Lockwood said: “It’s really important that we all do our bit.

"We want to get back to some kind of normal as soon as possible, and the use of these rapid tests and encouraging our communities to take up the vaccinations when offered, can help us to navigate our route to greater freedom.”

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