A POP-UP drive-through coronavirus mobile testing unit will be available on the Island from tomorrow (Friday), and will be available for at least the next three weeks.

Additional testing capacity has been set up to ease the pressure on the current facility at Newclose County Cricket Club in Newport.

The mobile testing unit will be at 1Leisure Medina, Newport. It will be open seven days a week, including Sundays, from 9.30am until 3pm.

Although the County Press, and Island MP Bob Seely, were expecting Newclose's testing site to be opened seven days a week as reported earlier, this won't be happening.

But people needing a test on a Sunday now have an alternative.

The testing centre at Newclose has extended its opening hours to 9am until 4pm (Monday to Saturday).

These changes to testing on the Island increase capacity from 400 to around 800 tests per day as required.

Isle of Wight Council leader, Dave Stewart, said: “I am pleased we are moving quickly on this opportunity.

“I am grateful to our team and our Local Resilience Forum (LRF) for pulling this initiative together so quickly and hope that increased access to testing provides reassurance to our community as we work together to get our cases down.

"This approach will relieve pressure on the testing centre at Newclose and the NHS team that has been staffing the site.”

People with Covid symptoms who are unable to get a test slot online should call 119 and will then be advised of appointments at either Newclose or 1Leisure Medina.

Home testing kits can also be ordered online or via 119. These should be posted in priority post boxes, with a step-by-step guide available online.

Simon Bryant, the council's director of public health, said: “It remains extremely important that we all stick to the guidelines and stay at home.

"If you develop symptoms of Covid, self-isolate and don’t leave home for any reason except to get a test at either Newclose or 1Leisure Medina.”