COVID-19 Community Testing Sites

COVID-19 Lateral Flow Community Testing Sites: Phase 1

Following current lockdown and Government guidance, Cumbria County Council are pleased to announce that several lateral flow testing sites are now available to the public. 

At the moment, these community testing sites are only for people that can't work from home and for those who are in greater community contact as part of their job. Those that can work from home should continue to do so. The lateral flow tests are used to detect the virus in the community, but not to allow lockdown restrictions to be eased at this stage.

You don't need an appointment - please just arrive at the testing site between the stated times below.

Please note, the testing sites will not be open outside of these times. 

Phase 1 will start with 5 sites opening across the county in:

Aspatria: Beacon Hill School, Market Square, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EZ - Saturdays: 9.15am to 12.30pm


Carlisle: Trinity School Sports Hall, Strand Rd, Carlisle CA1 1JB - Saturdays: 9.15am to 12.30pm  and  Wednesdays: 5.15pm to 7.30pm


Kendal: Queen Katherine School, Appleby Rd, Kendal LA9 6PJ - Thursdays: 5.45pm to 7.30pm  and  Saturdays: 9.15am to 12.30pm


Millom: Millom School, Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB - Saturdays: 9.15am to 12.30pm  and  Wednesdays: 5.30pm to 7.30pm


Penrith: Ullswater Community College, Wetheriggs Lane, Penrith, CA11 8NG - Saturdays: 9.15am to 12.30pm  and  Wednesdays: 5.15pm to 7.30pm


with more sites opening soon. People are still encouraged to stay local and not to travel excessively to testing sites far away from their homes.

The lateral flow tests provide a result within 30 minutes, with no need for tests to be sent away to a laboratory for analysis. Regular lateral flow testing of people without COVID-19 symptoms is a key part of the Government's strategy to control the spread of the virus. Lateral flow testing helps spot asymptomatic carriers and people who do have COVID-19 and are infectious but are not ill. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please do not attend the test site, but instead book a test online or by calling 119.

  • Around 1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading the virus without realising it
  • The rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests, which provide results within an hour, are being used to proactively test asymptomatic individuals
  • This will help to identify those who unknowingly have the virus and help those who test positive and their contacts to self-isolate, which can help drive down the R rate locally and save lives
  • A Lateral Flow Test detects the presence or absence of coronavirus from a swab or saliva sample
  • It takes less than 15 minutes to register and administer the test. After leaving the test site a result will be provided in around 30 minutes
  • Your result will be sent to you by SMS and/or e-mail - you will be asked for these contact details on registration.  You will get the results at the latest within a day of the test
  • If you do not receive your result within 24 hours, please let us know at ask.lft@cumbria.gov.uk
  • If you test positive with the lateral flow test you will need to self-isolate for 10 days. Eligible individuals who test positive will be entitled to the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace. Please note the government has laid down eligibility criteria
  • If you test negative with the lateral flow test you will need to continue to follow the preventative measures currently recommended for stopping the spread of the virus - to protect yourself and others, you must remember important social distancing should continue: Hands. Face. Space


If you have any queries, please email the project team at ask.LFT@cumbria.gov.uk