With new cases of COVID-19 continuing to be reported, East Lothian Council is calling on residents to get tested even if they have no symptoms.

This can be done at a local test site, collecting a test kit from available pharmacies, or ordering online.

Over the next week, mobile testing units will be in Dunbar, Tranent, North Berwick, Haddington, Prestonpans and Whitecraig.

A test centre for East Lothian residents with no symptoms continues to operate out of the former Stoneyhill Community Centre in Musselburgh.  It is open 11am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday. 

Sharon Saunders, Head of Communities, East Lothian Council, said:

“In recent days we have continued to see new cases of COVID-19 being reported in some East Lothian communities. While generally hospital admissions are much lower than at the height of the pandemic, people are still being infected by this horrible virus.

“It’s important to highlight that almost 1 in 3 people with the virus don’t realise they have it and could be passing it on, especially to younger people who have not yet had the vaccine.

“Transmission remains a real risk. We are closely monitoring the situation and, in order to stop the spread and continue working towards a less restrictive way of life, we are very keen to encourage people – even if they feel fine – to get tested regularly.

“It’s now easier than ever to do this – pop along to a pharmacy which has test kits stocked to take home, order online for delivery to your home, or visit one of several locations across our communities where you can take a test. Please do your bit.”

Test centre in Musselburgh

The COVID-19 testing centre aimed at identifying positive cases among people showing no symptoms is located at the former Stoneyhill Community Centre, Musselburgh. 

No appointment is required and you can get tested more than once. The facility is open to everyone from East Lothian as long as you don't have symptoms - a fever, cough, or loss or change of smell. If you do have symptoms, you need to book a test elsewhere.

Opening hours are 11am-6pm (Tuesday to Saturday). Address: 5 Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RN

Mobile test units

Mobile testing units are currently deployed around East Lothian. The current schedule is below. Times of operation are 10am to 6pm:

Friday, 11 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • North Berwick Community Centre
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Saturday, 12 June; Sunday, 13 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent

Monday, 14 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Prestonpans Community Centre
  • North Berwick Community Centre
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Tuesday, 15 June; Wednesday, 16 June; Thursday, 17 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • North Berwick Community Centre
  • The Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Friday, 18 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • North Berwick Community Centre
  • John Muir House, Haddington

Saturday, 19 June; Sunday, 20 June

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent

Walk-in appointments are available. Alternatively bookings can be made from 6pm on the day prior to when you get tested online at: get a free test online or by phone: 0300 303 2713. When asked why you are booking a test, select: ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’.

Home delivery of rapid lateral flow test kits

Another option if you have no symptoms is get home test kits delivered to your home. You can order online.

Pick up a test kit from a local pharmacy

A number of pharmacies in East Lothian have stocks of rapid lateral flow test kits, which are suitable for home testing if you have no symptoms. You can check your nearest collection point online.

Published: Friday, 11th June 2021